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Ultrahigh temperature shape memory alloys (UHT-SMAs) have transition temperatures above 600 °C. They are needed for sensing and actuating devices in aerospace applications. However, very few such UHT-SMAs have been found. Among them are Ru-based alloys such as RuNb and RuTa, whose martensite structures and phase transitions are totally different from those of NiTi-based SMAs and were poorly understood. In this work, we carried out a systematical study of RuNb using first-principles total energy calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We revealed the transition paths and mechanisms in cubic → tetragonal → monoclinic transitions. We determined the transition sequence and martensitic transition temperatures (MTTs) by evaluating the Gibbs free energies using thermodynamic integration. The calculated MTTs are in very good agreement with the experimental data. We also found that the monoclinic phase at the second transition has the P 2 1 / m symmetry instead of experimentally identified P 2 / m. The insights gained by this study and the verified ab initio methods for accurate MTT calculations can be applied to fast screen and quantitatively design novel UHT-SMAs having similar properties with desirable MTTs and much reduced cost. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A database tool is developed for archiving and exploring shape memory materials including shape memory alloys (SMAs), superelastic alloys, magnetic SMAs, shape memory polymers, and shape memory ceramics. Over 750 000 data points and their pedigree metadata are extracted and stored into records. Data are handled via a graphical user interface running in a web application. The tool provides interactive menus for the selection of material types, properties, and filters, culminating with a visualization panel. Data are displayed in three forms, consisting of pie charts, 2D scatter plots, and ternary diagrams, all of which provide unique information pertinent to the materials and properties being explored. This database tool is a major stepping stone toward building an information system where an entire continuum of material novices to experts can have an infrastructure to explore and discover these multifunctional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the primary goals of the Consortium for the Advancement of Shape Memory Alloy Research and Technology is to enable the design of revolutionary applications based on shape memory alloy technology. To advance this goal and reduce the development time and required experience for the fabrication of shape memory alloy actuation systems, several modeling tools were developed for common actuator types and are discussed along with case studies, which highlight their capabilities and limitations. Shape memory alloys have many potential applications as reliable, lightweight, solid-state actuators given their ability to sustain high stresses and recover large deformations. In this article, modeling frameworks are developed for three common actuator designs: wires, lightweight, low-profile, and easily implemented; coiled springs, offering actuation strokes upward of 200% at reduced mechanical loads; and torque tubes, which can provide large actuation torques in small volumes and repeatable low-load actuation. Although the design and integration of a shape memory alloy–based actuation system requires application- and environment-specific engineering considerations, common modeling tools can significantly reduce the investment required for actuation system development and provide valuable engineering insight. This analysis presents a collection of Consortium for the Advancement of Shape Memory Alloy Research and Technology collaborative best practices to allow readers to utilize the available design tools and understand their modeling principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The objective of this study was to investigate the interactions between phase transformation and viscoplasticity during uniaxial constant force thermal cycling (UCFTC) of a Ti-rich Ni-Ti-20Hf (at.%) high-temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA). These tests were conducted (up till failure) at 1, 10 and 50 ∘ C / min , to vary the duration of exposure to high temperatures, viz. the amount of viscoplasticity, and to examine the rate-dependency of actuation. The macroscopic results from the tests were used to investigate the evolution of transformation temperatures, hysteresis, transformation and irrecoverable strains for the cycles in which the effect of potential damage mechanisms could be assumed to be negligible. The phenomena that affected the behavior were: viscoplasticity at 1 ∘ C / min , transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) at 10 and 50 ∘ C / min , and accumulation of retained martensite at all the three rates. More interestingly, the response at 1 ∘ C / min indicated a unique interplay between the effect of viscoplasticity over phase transformation and static recovery. The retained martensite was identified through a series of DSC and XRD analyses, and its contribution to TRIP strain was quantified through a UCFTC test. Furthermore, a test involving alternating isothermal creep and UCFTC at 10 ∘ C / min was conducted to investigate an effect of viscoplasticity produced by creep on the behavior, while reducing the viscoplasticity during thermal cycling. The alternating test revealed an effect of phase transformation over the viscoplastic strain rate. The experimental investigations demonstrated a rate-dependent phase transformation behavior, and a two-way coupling between phase transformation and viscoplasticity, bringing out the importance of understanding viscoplastic deformations in phase-transforming materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser powder bed fusion has been widely investigated for shape memory alloys, primarily NiTi alloys, with the goal of tailoring microstructures and producing complex geometries. However, processing high temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) remains unknown. In our previous study, we showed that it is possible to manufacture NiTiHf HTSMA, as one of the most viable alloys in the aerospace industry, using SLM and investigated the effect of parameters on defect formation. The current study elucidates the effect of process parameters (PPs) on the functionality of this alloy. Shape memory properties and the microstructure of additively manufactured Ni-rich NiTiHf alloys were characterized across a wide range of PPs (laser power, scanning speed, and hatch spacing) and correlated with energy density. The optimum laser parameters for defect-free and functional samples were found to be in the range of approximately 60–100 J/mm3. Below an energy density of 60 J/mm3, porosity formation due to lack-of-fusion is the limiting factor. Samples fabricated with energy densities of 60–100 J/mm3 showed comparable thermomechanical behavior in comparison with the starting as-cast material, and samples fabricated with higher energy densities (>100 J/mm3) showed very high transformation temperatures but poor thermomechanical behavior. Poor properties for samples with higher energies were mainly attributed to the excessive Ni loss and resultant change in the chemical composition of the matrix, as well as the formation of cracks and porosities. Although energy density was found to be an important factor, the outcome of this study suggests that each of the PPs should be selected carefully. A maximum actuation strain of 1.67% at 400 MPa was obtained for the sample with power, scan speed, and hatch space of 100 W, 400 mm/s, and 140 µm, respectively, while 1.5% actuation strain was obtained for the starting as-cast ingot. These results can serve as a guideline for future studies on optimizing PPs for fabricating functional HTSMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Martensitic transition temperatures (MTTs) can be tuned by alloying binaries with other elements to create multi-component shape memory alloys (SMAs). However, it is inefficient to use the trial-and-error approach to find compositions with desirable operating temperatures because of the large number of combinations of metals possible to form ternaries, quaternaries, etc. Thus it is crucial to develop the theoretical capability of accurately predicting MTTs as a function of composition, in order to provide experimentalists with necessary and reliable guidance. Previous work has focused on developing and applying first-principles methods to compute phase transitions and MTTs in binary SMAs such as NiTi (nitinol), but certain technical problems associated with the multi-component SMAs remain unsolved. In this work, we employed ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) and thermodynamics integration to study the NiTiHf-based high-temperature ternary SMAs. We overcome the technical challenges to accurately obtain the Gibbs free energy in cubic ternaries where the reference structures are unknown. Specifically, we examined the cubic, monoclinic and orthorhombic structures of Ni 0.5 Ti 0. 5 − x Hf x for x ∈ [ 0 , 0. 5 ] , and our results suggest that the cubic-to-monoclinic martensitic transition occurs when x < 0. 08 , for x > 0. 17 the martensitic transition is between the cubic and orthorhombic phases, whereas in between our calculations cannot distinguish these two martensite structures near the MTT. The computed MTTs vs Hf content x are in good agreement with measured data. Thus our current work paves the way for computational design of multi-component SMAs with desired properties. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-based shape memory alloys (Fe-SMAs) belong to smart metallic materials that can memorize or restore their preset shape after experiencing a substantial amount of deformation under heat, stress, or magnetic stimuli. Fe-SMAs have remarkable thermomechanical properties and have attracted significant interest because of their potential merits, such as cost-effective alloying elements, superior workability, weldability, a stable superelastic response, and low-temperature dependence of critical stress required for stress-induced martensitic transformation. Therefore, Fe-SMAs can be an intriguing and economical alternative to other SMAs. The recent advancements in fabrication methods of conventional metals and SMAs are helping the production of customized powder composition and then customized geometries by additive manufacturing (AM). The technology in these areas, i.e., fabrication techniques, experimental characterization, and theoretical formulations of Fe-SMAs for conventional and AM has been rapidly advancing and is lacking a comprehensive review. This paper provides a critical review of the recent developments in Fe-SMAs-related research. The conventional and AM-based methods of producing Fe-SMAs are discussed, and a detailed review of the current research trends on Fe-SMAs including 4-D printing of Fe-SMAs are comprehensively documented. The presented review provides a comprehensive review of experimental methods and processes used to determine the material characteristics and features of Fe-SMAs. In addition, the work provides a review of the reported computational modeling of Fe-SMAs to help design new Fe-SMA composition and geometry. Finally, different Fe-SMAs-based applications such as sensing and damping systems, tube coupling, and reinforced concrete are also discussed. This work will guide new research opportunities for working on Fe-SMAs and encourage new developments in the future. [Display omitted] • Overview of Fe-SMAs, including their mechanisms, merits, and limitations. • The major factors in designing, manufacturing, and processing of Fe-SMAs. • Fe-SMA computational modeling for innovative composition and geometry design. • Recent advances in the research and applications of Fe-SMAs. • Identified key challenges, future directions, and potential opportunities in Fe-SMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A recent microstructure-based FEM model that couples crystal-based plasticity, the B2↔B19′ phase transformation and anisotropic elasticity at the grain scale is calibrated to recent data for polycrystalline NiTi (49.9 at.% Ni). Inputs include anisotropic elastic properties, texture and differential scanning calorimetry data, as well as a subset of recent isothermal deformation and load-biased thermal cycling data. The model is assessed against additional experimental data. Several experimental trends are captured – in particular, the transformation strain during thermal cycling monotonically increases and reaches a peak with increasing bias stress. This is achieved, in part, by modifying the martensite hardening matrix proposed by Patoor et al. [Patoor E, Eberhardt A, Berveiller M. J Phys IV 1996;6:277]. Some experimental trends are underestimated – in particular, the ratcheting of macrostrain during thermal cycling. This may reflect a model limitation that transformation–plasticity coupling is captured on a coarse (grain) scale but not on a fine (martensitic plate) scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study investigates the high-temperature shape memory behavior of NiTiHf alloys fabricated via selective laser melting process. Specifically, the effects of laser power (100 W and 250 W) on their transformation temperatures, strain, and microstructure were investigated and compared to the ingot. The transformation temperatures of SLM fabricated alloys increased from 150 °C to 350 °C with elevated laser power due to Ni evaporation. The sample fabricated with 100 W showed sharp transformation peaks, good shape memory behavior with recoverable strain of 1.67% and superelasticity. The sample fabricated with 250 W had broad transformation peaks with low recoverable strain of 0.7% during thermal cycling. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A NiTi-20Hf high temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA) was additively manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) technique using NiTiHf powder. The thermomechanical and shape memory response were compared to the conventional vacuum induction skull melted counterpart. Transformation temperatures of the SLM material were found to be above 200 °C and slightly lower due to the additional oxygen pick up from the gas atomization and melting process. The shape memory response in compression was measured for stresses up to 500 MPa, and transformation strains were found to be very comparable (up to 1.26% for as-extruded; up to 1.52% for SLM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substituting Ni with Au in NiTi leads to dramatic increases in transformation temperatures, meeting one of the requirements for a viable high temperature actuator material. Consequently, four alloys containing between 49 and 51 at.% Ti, a fixed 40 at.% Au, and balance Ni, were prepared and investigated in detail using load-biased thermal cycling (LBTC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS). LBTC experiments demonstrated work output well above 400 °C, with full recovery up to 100 MPa. The alloys exhibit minimal variation in shape memory properties despite the relatively large composition range from Ti-lean to Ti-rich, in stark contrast to most other NiTi-based systems, which demonstrate extreme compositional sensitivity. Electron beam analysis revealed the presence of two types of secondary phases present in all compositions, which are subsequently characterized. Differences in secondary phase content as a function of alloy composition is shown to have a moderating effect on the transforming matrix composition - an important asset for this alloy system - potentially easing processing requirements and opening up shape memory alloys to new fabrication techniques. Unrecovered strain during cycling at higher loads is analyzed from a theoretical perspective to gain insight into the mechanisms of defect formation responsible for functional fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between precipitate evolution, martensitic transformation temperatures, hardness, and functional load-bias behavior has been analyzed for a Ni 50.8 Ti 34.2 Zr 15 (at.%) alloy. In the solutionized condition, the alloy was fully austenitic and no transformation (at least to −90 °C) was observed. Upon aging at 550 °C, the onset of a martensitic transformation (M s), as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, was observed at approximately −10 °C and 75 °C after 24 and 300 h, respectively. Electron diffraction identified the precipitation of the orthorhombic H-phase within the B2 matrix. When the inter-precipitate spacing was ~12 nm, a greater undercooling was necessary to initiate the martensitic transformation due to overlapping strain fields of the precipitates. As the precipitates coarsened with aging time, a corresponding increase in the inter-precipitate spacing occurred and the chemical partitioning effects between the matrix and precipitate, as determined by atom probe tomography, began to dominate the transformation behavior resulting in an increase in transformation temperatures. For selected aging conditions, the load-biased shape memory behavior was determined under compressive and tensile loading using uniaxial constant-force thermal cycling experiments. A tension-compression asymmetry was noted with larger transformation strains in tension than compression at constant stresses up to 400 MPa. A recoverable transformation strain of 3% was observed in the sample aged for 4 h at 550 °C under a tensile stress of 400 MPa, which is the largest recoverable strain currently reported for a precipitation-strengthened NiTiZr alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Torsional behavior of selective laser melted NiTi tubes was investigated. • Ti-rich precipitates formation tailored the transformation temperatures of NiTi tubes. • Local shear-strain distributions were observed via in-situ strain monitoring. • 2.3% of stable recovery strain was achieved under torsional loading. The large reversible strain upon heating (shape memory effect) or unloading (superelasticity), high power-to-weight ratio, good functional stability, compact size, and lightweight make the rotary NiTi shape memory alloys actuators an interesting candidate for various engineering applications. Additive manufacturing (AM) provides a single step freeform manufacturing process that not only fabricates the complex geometries but also tailors the properties of the printed parts profoundly. In the selective laser melting (SLM) technique, the process parameters (PPs) and scanning strategy show the remarkable effect on the microstructure, the properties, and the size accuracy of as-built parts. Impurity pick-up during the AM process is an unintended incident altering the microstructure and thermomechanical properties of fabricated parts significantly. In this paper, slightly Ni-rich NiTi powder is utilized to fabricate the NiTi tubes with three different thicknesses via the SLM method. It is shown that the bidirectional scanning strategy results in the size deviation of thin-wall tubes. Transformation temperatures (TTs) of the as-fabricated samples are assessed and compared with those of the starting powder. A large shift in TTs is found between the powder and the SLM tubes. The x-ray diffraction pattern shows the martensite phase at room temperature for the starting powder, while the as-built tubes are in the austenite phase coexisting with a secondary phase of Ti-rich oxide. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirms Ti-rich Ti 4 Ni 2 O x precipitates form along the grain boundaries. The characterization of tubes under pure torsional loading shows the localized shear strain on the tube surface. The thermomechanical behavior of the as-fabricated tubes is investigated and shown to exhibit superelastic response with a stable transformation strain of 2.3% after 10 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]