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Alloys
Timeline of Memory Metals
1932 - A. lander discovers the pseudoelastic properties
of Au-Cd alloy.
1949 - Memory effect of Au-Cd reported by Kurdjumov &
Kandros.
1967 At Naval Ordance Laboratory, Beuhler discovers
shape memory effect in nickel titanium alloy, Nitinol,
which proved to be a major breakthrough in the field of
shape memory alloys.
1970-1980 First reports of nickel-titanium implants
being used in medical applications.
Mid-1990s Memory metals start to become widespread
in medicine and soon move to other applications.
Two Phases
Austenite
Hard, firm
Inelastic
Resembles titanium
Simple FCC structure
Martensite
Soft
Elastic
Complex structure
Shape Memory Alloy
Qualities
Ability to remember its austenite phase
As the metal is cooled to the martensite phase, it can
be easily deformed. When the temperature is raised
to the austenite phase, it reforms to the original shape
of the material.
Pseudoelasticity
When the metal is changed to the martensite phase
simply by strain. The metal becomes pliable and can
withstand strains of up to 8%.
A mix of roughly 50% nickel and 50% titanium is
the most common SMA. Also CuZnAl and
CuAlNi are widely used.
Shape Memory
The twinned
martensite phase
resemble the
austenite phase from
our point of view, but
on an atomic level,
the structure is
different. There are
phase planes where
the martensite can
reconfigure itself with
24 crystallographically
equivalent habit
planes. This is called
twinning because of
the symmetry across
the planes.
Phase Changes in NiTi
(2001 SMA/MEMS Research Group)
Pseudoelasticity
Pseudoelasticity (superelasticity) occurs when the
alloy is above the martensite temperature, but there is
a load strong enough to force the austenite into the
martensite phase. The alloy will not return to the
austenite phase until the loading is decreased or there
is a large enough change in temperature.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta
Picture of wing with SMA wires.
University of Alberta