Fatigue Life and Dynamic Response of SMA Actuators

Abstract : The major objective of this project was to study the fatigue life and dynamic response of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators. The investigation involved an array tests for both complete and partial transformation under different constant load levels. A microstructural evaluation of failure mechanisms was also performed. In order to understand the dynamic response of SMAs, the project was subdivided into two main thrusts: modeling and experimentation of SMA devices for vibration isolation in space applications and modeling and experimentation of SMAs in shock absorption devices. Major accomplishments of this project are summarized as follows: - Development of two models for analysis of SMAs based dynamic systems - Development of a computationally efficient simulation tool for parametric analysis. Capability includes - Isothermal, non isothermal conditions