Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-actuators are efficient, simple, and robust alternatives to conventional actuators when a small volume and/or large force and stroke are required. The analysis of their failure response is critical for their design in order to achieve optimum functionality and performance. Here, (i) the existing knowledge base on the fatigue and overload fracture response of SMAs under actuation loading is reviewed regarding the failure micromechanisms, empirical relations for actuation fatigue life prediction, experimental measurements of fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rates, and numerical investigations of toughness properties and (ii) future developments required to expand the acquired knowledge, enhance the current understanding, and ultimately enable commercial applications of SMA-actuators are discussed.
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Deshielding effects on fatigue crack growth in shape memory alloys- A study on CuZnAl single-crystalline materials
The factors that affect the fatigue performance of shape memory alloys (SMAs), including fatigue crack growth (FCG) response, is far from being well-understood. In this study, we point to a mechanism that degrades the FCG performance considerably. We introduce the notion of FCG being affected by shielding and deshielding mechanisms, the former enhancing the resistance while the latter reducing the mate- rials’ resistance. We show that the deshielding mechanism creates additional driving forces (positive K contribution) of both Mode II and Mode I types (as much as 5e10 MPa m1/2) which accelerates the crack advance. The origin of the positive K component is associated with the localized martensite variant formation that is highly asymmetric with respect to the crack tip. We derive a resultant DK in excellent agreement with that measured based on experimental displacement measurements. Overall, this study represents an advancement of our understanding in FCG of SMAs by quantifying the deshielding mechanism.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1709515
- PAR ID:
- 10104825
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Acta materialia
- Volume:
- 176
- ISSN:
- 1359-6454
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 155-166
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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