Manufacturing and Processes

Abstract

This chapter gives a general outlook on methods used for the manufacturing or small-scale fabrication of kinetic materials. Some conventional processes are used to manufacture shape memory materials. Common metallurgical processes are suitable for shape memory alloys while special training and heat-treatment procedures are required for customized shape recovery. Shape memory polymers require polymerization processes to obtain the raw polymers. Such polymers are shaped to the final form by various industrial techniques such as injection molding or casting. 3D printing is becoming an alternative to conventional processes. Specialized techniques have been developped for different kinetic materials and desired shapes. Thin films and coating of shape memory alloys are prepared by processes such as magnetron sputtering, ion plating, and laser ablation. Some procedures used to obtain shape memory composites are also explained in this chapter.