Introduction to Shape Memory Alloys

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMAs), such as Nickel-Titanium (NiTi), have a remarkable capability to recover severe mechanical deformations, either through the shape memory effect (by heating) or pseudoelasticity (isothermally), that can be used to realize novel adaptive structures. New experiments will be presented on the thermomechanical responses of different forms of NiTi, including tubes, wire ropes, honeycombs. These experiments demonstrate some newly discovered phenomena and the behavior of new structural forms. Changes in structural geometry, i.e. layup, topology and cell geometry, allow considerable design flexibility in which the "material performance" can be tailored to the desired application.