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At least 127 records · Page 7

Influence of Detwinning on the Shape Memory Effect in Ni{sub 55}Fe{sub 18}Ga{sub 27} Single Crystals

Deformation mechanisms, one-way and two-way shape memory effects were studied in the mode of compression in the [011] single crystal of the Ni{sub 55}Fe{sub 18}Ga{sub 27} alloy where the detwinning occurred during deformation and in the [001] single crystal where the detwinning was forbidden. It was found that the [001] and [011] crystals deformed by different mechanisms during compression to 5% (reorientation was in [001] crystal, and the reorientation and detwinning were in [011] crystal) and from 15 to 20% (the 14 M → L1{sub 0} transition was in [001] crystal and plastic deformation of 14 M phase was in [011]). The compression of both single crystals from 5 to 15% occurred due to the same mechanisms: the 10 M ↔ 14 M transformation and the plastic deformation of the 14 M martensite. The 14 M and L1{sub 0} phases were stable under load, and they transformed to the 10 M martensite on unloading. It was shown that the crystal orientation and detwinning hardly affected the value of the one-way shape memory effect since both crystals were in the 10 M martensite after preliminary deformation. In this case, the transformation of 10 M martensite to the austenite on heating was accompanied by a strain of about 5% and this was the maximum value of the shape memory effect. It was found that the detwinning significantly affected the temperature ranges of strain recovery. In the [011] crystal, the strain recovered in a very narrow interval on heating (1-2°C), whereas in the [001] crystal the shape memory effect was observed in “normal” temperature range (~ 10°C). The detwinning resulted in the formation of a large oriented internal stress during the preliminary deformation that increased the value of the two-way shape memory effect that was observed in [011] crystals in comparison with the [001] crystals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shape Control of Solar Collectors Using Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

Solar collectors that are focused on a central receiver are designed with a mechanism for defocusing the collector or disabling it by turning it out of the path of the sun's rays. This is required to avoid damaging the receiver during periods of inoperability. In either of these two cases a fail-safe operation is very desirable where during power outages the collector passively goes to its defocused or deactivated state. This paper is principally concerned with focusing and defocusing the collector in a fail-safe manner using shape memory alloy actuators. Shape memory alloys are well suited to this application in that once calibrated the actuators can be operated in an on/off mode using a minimal amount of electric power. Also, in contrast to other smart materials that were investigated for this application, shape memory alloys are capable of providing enough stroke at the appropriate force levels to focus the collector. Design and analysis details presented, along with comparisons to test data taken from an actual prototype, demonstrate that the collector can be repeatedly focused and defocused within accuracies required by typical solar energy systems. In this paper the design, analysis and testing of a solar collector which is deformed into its desired shape by shape memory alloy actuators is presented. Computations indicate collector shapes much closer to spherical and with smaller focal lengths can be achieved by moving the actuators inward to a radius of approximately 6 inches. This would require actuators with considerably more stroke and some alternate SMA actuators are currently under consideration. Whatever SMA actuator is finally chosen for this application, repeatability and fatigue tests will be required to investigate the long term performance of the actuator.

Lobitz, D. W.↗

A Shape Memory Alloy Based Cryogenic Thermal Conduction Switch

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) can produce large strains when deformed (e.g., up to 8%). Heating results in a phase transformation and associated recovery of all the accumulated strain. This strain recovery can occur against large forces, resulting in their use as actuators. Thus an SMA element can integrate both sensory and actuation functions, by inherently sensing a change in temperature and actuating by undergoing a shape change as a result of a temperature-induced phase transformation. Two aspects of our work on cryogenic SMAs are addressed here. First - a shape memory alloy based cryogenic thermal conduction switch for operation between dewars of liquid methane and liquid oxygen in a common bulkhead arrangement is discussed. Such a switch integrates the sensor element and the actuator element and can be used to create a variable thermal sink to other cryogenic tanks for liquefaction, densification, and zero boil-off systems for advanced spaceport applications. Second - fabrication via arc-melting and subsequent materials testing of SMAs with cryogenic transformation temperatures for use in the aforementioned switch is discussed.

Notardonato, W. U.↗

Giant negative thermal expansion in Fe-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys

Fe-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys can undergo martensitic transformation (MT) from a paramagnetic cubic phase to a ferromagnetic tetragonal phase. The MT is accompanied by a large volume change; yet, these alloys have never been explored for technological applications as negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials. Here, by careful chemical modification, tunable NTE characteristics including wide operating temperature windows (Delta T) and large negative linear coefficients of thermal expansion (alpha(l)) have been achieved in Fe 44-x Mn 28 Ga 28+x (x = 1, 2, and 2.5) alloys. Typically, a giant NTE Delta T of 81 K and alpha(l =) -50.2 x 10(-6) K-1 were realized in the Fe43Mn28Ga29 alloy upon cooling from 290 K. The relationships between the NTE features, the MT, and the substitution of Ga for Fe were discussed. Furthermore, the Fe-Mn-Ga alloys possess excellent mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. With these advantages, the Fe-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys show promising prospects for use as advanced NTE materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fractionation of Lignin for Selective Shape Memory Effects at Elevated Temperatures

We report a facile approach to control the shape memory effects and thermomechanical characteristics of a lignin-based multiphase polymer. Solvent fractionation of a syringylpropane-rich technical organosolv lignin resulted in selective lignin structures having excellent thermal stability coupled with high stiffness and melt-flow resistance. The fractionated lignins were reacted with rubber in melt-phase to form partially networked elastomer enabling selective programmability of the material shape either at 70 °C, a temperature that is high enough for rubbery matrix materials, or at an extremely high temperature, 150 °C. Utilizing appropriate functionalities in fractionated lignins, tunable shape fixity with high strain and stress recovery, particularly high-stress tolerance were maintained. Detailed studies of lignin structures and chemistries were correlated to molecular rigidity, morphology, and stress relaxation, as well as shape memory effects of the materials. The fractionation of lignin enabled enrichment of specific lignin properties for efficient shape memory effects that broaden the materials’ application window. Electron microscopy, melt-rheology, dynamic mechanical analysis and ultra-small angle neutron scattering were conducted to establish morphology of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)-lignin elastomers from solvent fractionated lignins.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Towards Accurate and Efficient Predictions of Martensitic Transition Temperatures for Shape Memory Alloys from First Principles

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) can remember and recover their original shapes upon heating due to the existence of a reversible martensitic transition (MT) between the high-temperature austenite (A) and low-temperature martensite (M) phases. The martensitic transition temperature (MTT) is a crucial characteristic of an SMA. SMAs have a wide range of potential applications in aerospace, civil engineering, bioengineering, etc., but their operating temperatures are limited by the available SMAs. MTT can be tuned by alloying a binary with other metals, and the multicomponent NiTi-based SMAs have attracted tremendous research efforts recently. It is not efficient to employ the trial-and-error method alone due to the dramatically increased complexity and possibilities in compositions, and thus reliable theory and accurate computations play an indispensable role in creating SMAs with desirable properties.

Zhigang Wu↗

Deformation and Failure Mechanisms of Shape Memory Alloys

The goal of this research was to understand the fundamental mechanics that drive the deformation and failure of shape memory alloys (SMAs). SMAs are difficult materials to characterize because of the complex phase transformations that give rise to their unique properties, including shape memory and superelasticity. These phase transformations occur across multiple length scales (one example being the martensite-austenite twinning that underlies macroscopic strain localization) and result in a large hysteresis. In order to optimize the use of this hysteretic behavior in energy storage and damping applications, we must first have a quantitative understanding of this transformation behavior. Prior results on shape memory alloys have been largely qualitative (i.e., mapping phase transformations through cracked oxide coatings or surface morphology). The PI developed and utilized new approaches to provide a quantitative, full-field characterization of phase transformation, conducting a comprehensive suite of experiments across multiple length scales and tying these results to theoretical and computational analysis. The research funded by this award utilized new combinations of scanning electron microscopy, diffraction, digital image correlation, and custom testing equipment and procedures to study phase transformation processes at a wide range of length scales, with a focus at small length scales with spatial resolution on the order of 1 nanometer. These experiments probe the basic connections between length scales during phase transformation. In addition to the insights gained on the fundamental mechanisms driving transformations in shape memory alloys, the unique experimental methodologies developed under this award are applicable to a wide range of solid-to-solid phase transformations and other strain localization mechanisms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Competing Interactions between Mesoscale Length-Scales, Order-Disorder, and Martensitic Transformation in Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloys

In the present study, the effects of composition and heat treatments and the resulting microstructural changes on the martensitic transformation and ferromagnetic transition have been investigated in NiCoMnIn metamagnetic shape memory alloys. In this shape memory alloy system, it is observed that upon heat treatments at a wide temperature range, the onset temperature of the martensitic transformation follows a non-monotonic behavior with respect to heat treatment time, and the nature of the non-monotonic behavior is also a function of composition. This behavior cannot be attributed to well-known factors such as precipitation, change in local composition due to the precipitation and/or global degree of order. In this work, a systematic investigation through synthesis, thermal processing and characterization via thermo-physical measurements, transmission electron microscopy and in-situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments has been used to correlate the non-monotonic dependence of the martensitic transformation and ferromagnetic transition temperatures to the evolution of L2 1 domains arising from a order/disorder phase transition. A thermodynamic model for the magneto-structural transition is combined with classical nucleation theory to further ascertain the role of microstructural length-scales on the onset of the martensitic transformation. This work thus provides understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that can be controlled to tune the coupled magneto-structural transformations in NiCoMnIn metamagnetic shape memory alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Machine Learning Approach to Design Shape Memory Alloys for NASA Applications

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of materials with several remarkable properties including shape recovery, superelasticity, etc. Nickel-titanium (NiTi) based alloys are the most widely studied of this class, with compositions including ternary, quaternary, or higher additions being considered. Especially important for many NASA applications is the ability to tune the martensitic phase transition temperature of NiTi alloys by varying the alloy composition and processing conditions. In addition, low hysteresis and an acceptable recoverable transformation strain are required. Over the past several years, a significant database of SMA properties has been assembled by NASA researchers. Such a database is ideal for data science-based approaches. We present results from our machine learning approach for designing new SMAs with target properties within our range of interest. Our developed models are capable of accurately predicting the transition temperature, hysteresis, and transformation strain of SMAs across a wide range of compositions. This approach has the potential to significantly accelerate the discovery and design of new SMA materials.

Shreyas Jaikumar Honrao↗

Data-Driven Study of Shape Memory Behavior of Multi-component Ni-Ti Alloys

Ni-Ti based shape memory alloys (SMAs) have found wide-spread use in aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and commercial applications owing to their favorable properties and ease of operation. Especially important for many NASA applications is the ability to tune the martensitic transformation temperature of Ni-Ti alloys by varying the composition and processing conditions. Recently, researchers at NASA have compiled an extensive database of shape memory properties of materials, including over 8,000 multi-component Ni-Ti alloys containing 37 different alloying elements. Using this dataset, machine learning models are trained to predict transformation temperatures, hysteresis, and transformation strain with extremely small errors. These models are used to learn relationships between shape memory behavior and input parameters in the composition and processing space. ML predictions are validated through new experiments. The combination of an extensive dataset and accurate learning models, together, make our approach highly suitable for the rapid discovery of novel SMAs with targeted properties.

Shape Memory Alloys↗

Data-Driven Study of Shape Memory Behavior of Multi-Component Ni-Ti Alloys

Ni-Ti based shape memory alloys (SMAs) have found wide-spread use in aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and commercial applications owing to their favorable properties and ease of operation. Especially important for many NASA applications is the ability to tune the martensitic transformation temperature of Ni-Ti alloys by varying the alloy composition and processing conditions. Recently, researchers at NASA have compiled an extensive database of shape memory properties of materials, including over 8,000 multi-component Ni-Ti alloys containing 37 different alloying elements. Using this dataset, machine learning models are trained to predict transformation temperatures, hysteresis, and transformation strain with extremely low mean absolute errors. These models are used to learn relationships between shape memory behavior and input parameters in the composition and processing space. ML predictions are validated through new experiments. The combination of an extensive experimental dataset and accurate learning models, together, make our approach highly suitable for the rapid discovery and design of novel SMAs with targeted properties. We are not aware of any current approaches capable of predicting SMA transformation behavior over such a wide range of compositions and processing conditions.

Shape memory alloys↗

Phase transformation and microstructure evolution of the deformed Ti-30Zr-5Nb shape memory alloy

The phase transformation and microstructures of the deformed Ti-30Zr-5Nb shape memory alloy were investigated. The X-ray diffraction measurements indicated that the Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy was composed of a single orthorhombic α″-martensite phase. The alloy exhibited one yielding behavior in the tensile test, with a critical stress of ~ 600 MPa and a tensile strain of approximately 15%. A shape memory recovery accompanied by a permanent strain was exhibited in the deformed alloys when heated at 873 K. The permanent strain increased with increasing pre-strain. The microstructure evolution of the deformed alloy was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the martensite reorientation occurred and the dislocations were generated during deformation. The alloy displayed a reversible martensite transformation start temperature as high as 763 K. However, no strain-induced martensite stabilization was found in the deformed alloy with different pre-strain levels, potentially because the large chemical energy of the Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy depressed the effects of the elastic energy and the dissipative energy. - Highlights: • Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy is composed of single orthorhombic α″-martensite phase with M{sub s} of 721 K. • No martensite stabilization has been found in Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy with different pre-strain. • Ti-30Zr-5Nb shows the maximum shape memory effect of 2.75% with a pre-strain of 8%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Suppressing heating rate-dependent martensitic stabilization in ductile Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys by Ni addition: An experimental and first-principles study

Highlights: • Additional nearest neighbor bond between Ni and Al atoms was produced theoretically in the Cu-Al-Mn-Ni (Ni≤2 at.%) alloys. • Shape memory effect of Cu-Al-Mn alloys heated at 20 K/min was improved from 85% to 92% after the addition of 2 at.% Ni. • Addition of 2 at.% Ni can suppress heating rate-dependent martensitic stabilization in Cu-Al-Mn alloys heated at 0.01 K/min. - Abstract: The present paper aims to suppress the heating rate-dependent martensitic stabilization of ductile Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys through restricting the mobility and thus the behavior of vacancies. A combined study based on first-principles calculation and experimental results were presented to unveil the effect of Ni addition into ternary Cu-Al-Mn alloys on the bonding force between atoms. The results showed that additional nearest neighbor bond between Ni and Al atoms in quaternary Cu-Al-Mn-Ni alloys can be produced. The addition of Ni (≤2 at.%) into ternary Cu-Al-Mn alloys can not only efficiently increase the shape memory effect, but also suppress the occurrence of heating rate-dependent martensitic stabilization. The addition of 2 at.% Ni improved the shape memory effect of ternary Cu-Al-Mn alloys from 85% to 92% when heated at 20 k/min. The shape memory effect of ternary Cu-Al-Mn alloys dropped to 10% as the heating rate decreased to 1 K/min, but it remain at 92% even when the heating rate was sufficiently lowered to 0.01 K/min after the addition of 2 at.% Ni.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructure, crystallization and shape memory behavior of titania and yttria co-doped zirconia

Small volume zirconia ceramics with few or no grain boundaries have been demonstrated recently to exhibit the shape memory effect. To explore the shape memory properties of yttria doped zirconia (YDZ), it is desirable to develop large, microscale grains, instead of submicron grains that result from typical processing of YDZ. In this paper, we have successfully produced single crystal micro-pillars from microscale grains encouraged by the addition of titania during processing. Titania has been doped into YDZ ceramics and its effect on the grain growth, crystallization and microscale elemental distribution of the ceramics have been systematically studied. With 5 mol% titania doping, the grain size can be increased up to ~4 μm, while retaining a large quantity of the desired tetragonal phase of zirconia. Finally, micro-pillars machined from tetragonal grains exhibit the expected shape memory effects where pillars made from titania-free YDZ would not.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermomechanical Methodology for Stabilizing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Response

Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.

Padula, II, Santo A↗

Thermomechanical Methodology for Stabilizing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Response

Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.

Padula, Santo A., II↗

Thermomechanical Methodology for Stabilizing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Response

Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.

Padula, Santo A., II↗

Effects of Isophorone Diisocyanate on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Shape-Memory Polyurethane Foams

Previously developed shape-memory polymer foams display fast actuation in water due to plasticization of the polymer network. The actuation presents itself as a depression in the glass-transition temperature when moving from dry to aqueous conditions; this effect limits the working time of the foam to 10 min when used in a transcatheter embolic device. Reproducible foams are developed by altering the chemical backbone, which can achieve working times of greater than 20 min. This is accomplished by incorporating isophorone diisocyanate into the foam, resulting in increased hydrophobicity, glass transitions, and actuation time. Furthermore, this delayed actuation, when compared with previous systems, allows for more optimal working time in clinical applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗