Shape memory alloys: Properties, demands and opportunities in engineering applications: PART I

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a subclass of shape memory materials (SMMs), which are materials that, in response to a specific impact like thermal, mechanical, or magnetic changes, can "memorize" or hold into their prior form. This review addresses the properties, demands, and application prospects of SMAs, and provides a synopsis of recent advancements, as well as a historical background. Due to their special and exceptional qualities, SMAs have attracted a lot of interest and attention recently in a wide range of commercial applications; basic and applied research investigations have supported this commercial development. In order to shed light on design, issues faced by SMA developers, this paper explains the characteristics of these materials that make them perfectly suited for variety of applications, addressing also the accompanying constraints. This paper offers a pertinent overview of current SMA research.