APPLICATIONS OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

SUBMITTED BY THANGA KAMATCHI.V

INTRODUCTION
A groups of metallic alloys which shows the ability to return to their original shape or size (ie alloy appears to have memory) when they are subjected to appropriate thermal procedure(heating /cooling) are called shape memory alloys. SMAs are also called shape shifters, active materials , smart materials, intelligent materials and adaptive materials.

PROPERTIES
SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT The change of shape of a material at low temperature by loading and regaining of original shape at high temp by heating it,is known as shape memory effect.

 PSEUDO ELASTICITY Pseudo-elasticity occurs in shape memory alloys when the alloy is completely composed of Austenite (temperature is greater than Af). Unlike the shape memory effect, pseudo-elasticity occurs without a change in temperature. The load on the shape memory alloy is increased until the Austenite becomes transformed into Martensite simply due to the loading. The loading is absorbed by the softer Martensite, but as soon as the loading is decreased the Martensite begins to transform back to Austenite since the temperature of the wire is still above Af, and the wire springs back to its original shape.

APPLICATIONS OF SMA
Shape memory alloys have a wide range of applications 1.Aircraft maneuvering 2.Medical apps 3.Earthquake engg 4.Robotics 5.Microvalve 6.Toys and novelties 7.Antenna wires etc.

AIRCRAFT APPLICATION
The shape memory wire is used to manipulate a flexible wing surface. The wire on the bottom of the wing is shortened through the shape memory effect, while the top wire is stretched bending the edge downwards, the opposite occurs when the wing must be bent upwards. The shape memory effect is induced in the wires simply by heating them with an electric current, which is easily supplied through electrical wiring, eliminating the need for large hydraulic lines.

MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Bone plates can also be fabricated using shape memory alloys, in particular nickel titanium. Using a bone plate made out of NiTi, which has a transformation temperature of around Af much greater than 15C surgeons follow the same procedure as is used with conventional bone plates. The NiTi plates are first cooled to well below their transformation temperature, then they are placed on the set break just like titanium plates. However, when the body heats the plate up to body temperature the NiTi attempts to contract applying sustained pressure on the break or fracture for far longer than stainless steel or

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
They are used as kernel components in seismic devices. The reason why they are used is because of their large energy dissipation without fatigue and their ability to undergo very large strains without any transformation. For e.g.: the use of sma in the BELL TOWER of the church of san giorgio in trignano.

ROBOTICS
Stiquito is a small, inexpensive robot commonly used by universities, high schools, and hobbyists, since 1992. Stiquito's "muscles" are made of nitinol, a shape memory alloy that expands and contracts, roughly emulating the operation of a muscle. The application of heat causes a crystalline structure change in the wire. Nitinol contracts when heated and returns to its original size .Stiquito was developed by Jonathan W. Mills of Indiana University as an inexpensive vehicle for his

MICROVALVES
One of the most common apps of smas is micro valves. A micro valve made of Ni-Ti alloy actuator. Actuator is a micro sensor that can trigger the operation of a device. The electrical signal initiates an action. TOYS AND NOVELTIES To make eye-glass frames. Antenna wires

ADVANTAGES
They are used for their simplicity, compactness and high safety mechanism. Good bio compatibility (i.e., they are used to make artificial organs like heart, its because of their non-ion producing ability) They offer clean,silent,spark-free working condition. They have high power/weight ratio. They have good mechanical properties and are corrosion resistant.

DISADVANTAGES
They are poor fatigue properties(i.e., bending, twisting etc.) They are expensive Low energy efficiency They have limited bandwidth due to heating and cooling restrictions.