FEA Validation of NiTiPdPt and NiTiPdCu Shape Memory Alloys at High Temperatures

Abstract

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) also known as smart metal, memory metal, memory alloy, muscle wire, smart alloy is an alloy that "remembers" its original, cold-forged shape: returning to the pre-deformed shape when heated. This material is a lightweight, solid-state alternative to conventional actuators such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and motor based systems. The Cu-based, Fe-based and NiTi-based SMAs are considered as engineering materials. The yield strength of SMA is lower than that of conventional steel, but higher yield strength than plastic or aluminium. The yield stress for NiTi can reach 500 MPa. Some devices are made to test the properties of SMA but the research is still in progress to authenticate the experimental results with the true behaviour of SMA. To cope up with this problem, a numerical simulation based solution is needs to be devised to check the thermomechanical properties of newly constituted SMA and verify its load and temperature bearing capacity as well as deformation evaluation. In this research, one experimentally tested and verified SMA NiTiPdPt is simulated Finite Element Analysis package and the results are compared with the newly constituted SMA NiTiPdCu. The results found for both materials verifies the authenticity and validation of FEA method for evaluation of thermomechanical properties of SMA.