It is the shape memory effect (SME) and superelasticity (SE), characteristics unique to SMAs, that

make them suitable to these applications. SME and SE are illustrated in the form of stressstrain
curves in Fig. 1.1. In SME, a previously deformed alloy can be made to recover its original shape
simply by heating (Fig. 1.1(a)); while in SE, the alloy can be bent or stretched to a great extent, but
returns to its original shape once the load is released (Fig. 1.1(b)).
In the case of SME, shape recovery takes place at a particular temperature, and thus a single piece of
material functions both as a sensor and as an actuator. This is the reason why SMAs are often
referred to as smart or intelligent materials. Such materials are useful in the production of simple,
compact and reliable actuator devices.

SE is suited to applications which require the use of a material with large recoverable deformation.
For example, in the case of TiNi wires, it is typically possible to recover approximately 8% strain,
which is about 800 times larger than conventional elastic strain (Hookes law) in metals. Another
important characteristic of superelasticity is its non-linear stress strain response.