Active and passive multicycle actuation characteristics of shape memory alloy-based adaptive composite structures

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) offer an attractive way to build adaptive structures as their shape changes and remembered their shape under the applied external stimuli. The adaptive composite structures embedded with SMA wires have been developed using the hand layup process. In this work, the experimental investigation of the actuation behaviour of the SMA-based adaptive composite structures was carried out. This is achieved by imposing external active and passive heating. To investigate the actuation behaviour of the SMA-based adaptive composite structure different diameters of SMA wires and their configurations were considered. Based on the trial experiments, a voltage of 6 V, a heating time of 5 s, and a cooling time of 18 s have been optimized for electrical heating. These heating conditions were used for all the thermomechanical analysis of SMA-based adaptive composite structures and all the samples were tested for multiple cycles of heating and cooling. The maximum deflection of 14 mm was observed for the composite structure embedded with four SMA wires of 0.5 mm diameter. Our fundamental study highlights the possibility of using SMA-based adaptive structures in electromechanical systems such as actuators and sensors.

Adaptive reversible composite-based shape memory alloy soft actuators

“…For all the trials, a similar test setup is employed. Apart from the high actuation stresses that can be achieved, there are significant benefits in terms of FRP integration when SMA material is utilised in wire form [39,52,53]. A flat FRP sheet is bent by SMA wire actuators to illustrate the performance of SMA-FRP composites.…”

Processing of shape memory alloys research, applications and opportunities: a review

“…The SMAs are special materials that, when exposed to stimuli like heat, stress, or a magnetic field, demonstrate the ability to regain their original shape after deformation [1][2][3]. SMA wires embedding adaptive composite structures have been developed by hand layup [4]. Temperature variations have been demonstrated to have a substantial impact on this characteristic.…”