Guaranteed behaviour of shape memory alloys : After quench and long time effects in CuZnAl SMA

Abstract

The use of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) in critical "high tech" applications such as robotics and in continuous actuators needs an increased reliability and a guaranteed behaviour lasting several years. High resolution measurements enabled to quantify the time effects of aging near room temperature on the properties of CuZnAI SMA and to modelize the macroscopic behaviour. Some structural measurements showed small changes on the material structure.