SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

Definition
Shape memory alloys (SMA) are the alloys that changes its shape to new shape and while
heating/cooling it will return to its original shape.

Transformation temperature
The range of temperature at which the SMA switches from new shape to its original shape
is called transformation temperature or memory transfer temperature.
Phases of Shape memory alloys (SMA)
MARTENSITE:
Martensite is an interstitial super solution of carbon in α-iron and it cyrstallizes into twinned
structure. The SMA will have this structure generally at lower temperatures and it is soft in this
phase.AUSTENITE:
Austenite is the solid solution of carbon and other alloying elements in γ-iron and it
cyrstallizes into cubic structure. The SMA will attain this temperatures and it is hard in this
phase.
TYPES OF SMA

• One way SMA- Though there is some change in the temperature the SMA remains in the
phase.
• Two way SMA- The type of materials which produces spontaneous and reversible
deformation just upon heating and cooling even without load

6. 6 CHARACTERISTICS OF SMAS:

1. Shape memory effect

At lower temperatures the SMA will be in martensite structure and when it is heated then it will
change its shape to austenite structure and while cooling it will again return to martensite form.
Explanation:
The original shape is recovered due to two different solid phases of material, namely
martensite and austenite. The martensite structure is a low-temperature phase and it is
relatively soft. The austenite structure is a high-temperature phase and it is hard
 On heating , martensite deformed and becomes austenite (shape recovery) and upon
cooling gets transformed to twinned martensite (fig 6.5)

Fig. 6.5 Material crystalline arrangement during shape memory effect.

Transformation occurs over a range of temperatures.

 Psuedoelasticity
It occurs in some type of SMA in which the change will occur even without change in
its temperature.

 Super elasticity

The shape memory alloys which change their shape at constant temperature.

 Hysterisis

The temperature range for the martensite to austenite transformation which takes
place upon heating is somewhat higher than that for the reverse transformation upon
cooling.

Hysteresis is generally defined as the difference between the temperature at which

the material is 50% transformed to austenite upon heating and 50% transformed to
marteniste upon cooling. The difference can be upto 20-30oC.

Fig. 6.7 Hysteresis curve for SMA’s

6. 7 PROPERTIES OF Ni-Ti ALLOY

• High shape memory strain [8.5%]

• Density is 6.45gm/cm3
• Flexible
• High melting point [1300oC]
• Transformation temperature varies from -200oC and 110oC
• High thermal stability
• High corrosion resistance
6. 8 APPLICATIONS OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS:

• Eye glass frames

• Toys
• Helicopter blades
• Blood clot filter
• Fire safety valves
• Coffee makers
• Cyrofit hydraulic couplings
• Circuit edge connectors

6. 9 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS:

ADVANTAGES
• Compact
• Safe and smart
• Flexible
• Non-corrosive
DISADVANTAGES
• High cost
• Low efficiency
• Gets deformed
• Tranformation occurs over a range of temperatures.