B. Dhakal

Large scale simulation of NiTi helical spring actuators under repeated thermomechanical cycles

As typically utilized in applications, a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator operates under a large number of thermomechanical cycles, hence the importance of accounting for the cyclic behavior characteristics in modeling and numerical simulation of these actuators. To this end, the present work is focused on the characterization of the cyclic, evolutionary behavior of binary 55NiTi using a newly developed, multi-axial, material-modeling framework and its finite element analysis (FEA) implementation for use in the simulations of SMA actuators. In particular, two different geometric configurations of four- and two-coil helical springs subjected to axial end-forces are investigated under the effect of a large number of thermal cycles leading to the saturated deformation state of the coils. In addition, two different boundary conditions were examined, corresponding to: (a) the loading end cross section assumed to be free-to-twist, and (b) the loading end cross section assumed to be restrained against twist rotation. The study has led to the following five important conclusions: (i) the states of stresses and strains in the coils exhibited marked spatial non-homogeneities, both along the length as well as the cross section of the wires; (ii) the cyclic deformation response of the coils exhibits a similar evolutionary character to that of the 55NiTi material when tested under simple isobaric tensile stress conditions; (iii) the end boundary conditions affect the evolution of the deformation response; (iv) the magnitudes of the evolving nonlinear deformation states (i.e., axial displacements on the martensite and austenite sides, as well as the actuation displacement) were found to be proportional to the number of coils in an essentially linear manner, and (v) the change in coil diameter, while maintaining the pitch height, wire diameter and the number of coils fixed, has a significant effect on the response of the helical spring, both with regard to the resulting stress state and the evolutionary axial displacement behavior during the thermal cycles.

Calibration of a three-dimensional multimechanism shape memory alloy material model for the prediction of the cyclic “attraction” character in binary NiTi alloys

As typically utilized in applications, a particular shape memory alloy device or component operates under a large number of thermomechanical cycles, hence, the importance of accounting for the cyclic behavior characteristics in modeling and characterization of these systems. To this end, the present work is focused on the characterization of the evolutionary, cyclic behavior of binary 55NiTi (having a moderately-high transformation temperature range). In this study, an extensive set of test data from recent cyclic, isobaric, tension tests was used. Furthermore, for the calibration and characterization of this material, a newly developed, multiaxial, material-modeling framework was implemented. In this framework, multiple, inelastic mechanisms are used to regulate the partitioning of energy dissipation and storage governing the evolutionary thermomechanical response.

Three-dimensional deformation response of a NiTi shape memory helical-coil actuator during thermomechanical cycling: experimentally validated numerical model

Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators often operate under a complex state of stress for an extended number of thermomechanical cycles in many aerospace and engineering applications. Hence, it becomes important to account for multi-axial stress states and deformation characteristics (which evolve with thermomechanical cycling) when calibrating any SMA model for implementation in large-scale simulation of actuators. To this end, the present work is focused on the experimental validation of an SMA model calibrated for the transient and cyclic evolutionary behavior of shape memory Ni49.9Ti50.1, for the actuation of axially loaded helical-coil springs. The approach requires both experimental and computational aspects to appropriately assess the thermomechanical response of these multi-dimensional structures. As such, an instrumented and controlled experimental setup was assembled to obtain temperature, torque, degree of twist and extension, while controlling end constraints during heating and cooling of an SMA spring under a constant externally applied axial load. The computational component assesses the capabilities of a general, multi-axial, SMA material-modeling framework, calibrated for Ni49.9Ti50.1 with regard to its usefulness in the simulation of SMA helical-coil spring actuators. Axial extension, being the primary response, was examined on an axially-loaded spring with multiple active coils. Two different conditions of end boundary constraint were investigated in both the numerical simulations as well as the validation experiments: Case (1) where the loading end is restrained against twist (and the resulting torque measured as the secondary response) and Case (2) where the loading end is free to twist (and the degree of twist measured as the secondary response). The present study focuses on the transient and evolutionary response associated with the initial isothermal loading and the subsequent thermal cycles under applied constant axial load. The experimental results for the helical-coil actuator under two different boundary conditions are found to be within error to their counterparts in the numerical simulations. The numerical simulation and the experimental validation demonstrate similar transient and evolutionary behavior in the deformation response under the complex, inhomogeneous, multi-axial stress-state and large deformations of the helical-coil actuator. This response, although substantially different in magnitude, exhibited similar evolutionary characteristics to the simple, uniaxial, homogeneous, stress-state of the isobaric tensile tests results used for the model calibration. There was no significant difference in the axial displacement (primary response) magnitudes observed between Cases (1) and (2) for the number of cycles investigated here. The simulated secondary responses of the two cases evolved in a similar manner when compared to the experimental validation of the respective cases.

A Comparative Study of Ni49.9Ti50.1 and Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 Tube Actuators

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator typically has to operate for a large number of thermomechanical cycles due to its application requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the cyclic behavioral response of the SMA actuation material and the devices into which they are incorporated under extended cycling conditions. The present work is focused on the nature of the cyclic, evolutionary behavior of two widely used SMA actuator material systems: (1) a commercially available Ni49.9Ti50.1, and (2) a developmental high-temperature Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 alloy. Using a recently developed general SMA modeling framework that utilizes multiple inelastic mechanisms, differences and similarities between the two classes of materials are studied, accounting for extended number of thermal cycles under a constant applied tensile/compressive force and under constant applied torque loading. From the detailed results of the simulations, there were significant qualitative differences in the evolution of deformation responses for the two different materials. In particular, the Ni49.9Ti50.1 tube showed significant evolution of the deformation response, whereas the Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 tube stabilized quickly. Moreover, there were significant differences in the tension-compression-shear asymmetry properties in the two materials. More specifically, the Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 tube exhibited much higher asymmetry effects, especially at low stress levels, compared to the Ni49.9Ti50.1. For both SMA tubes, the evolution of the deformation response under thermal cycling typically exhibited regions of initial transients, and subsequent evolution.

Erratum to: A Comparative Study of Ni49.9Ti50.1 and Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 Tube Actuators

On page 1735, the caption of Fig. 8 should read ‘‘Summary plots showing the cyclic evolution of axial displacement (in mm) at martensite (dM), austenite (dA) and the corresponding actuation stroke dACT = dM – dA for: (a) the Ni49.9Ti50.1, and (b) the Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 tube actuator under tensile, iso-force thermal cycling’’. On page 1736, the caption of Fig. 9 should read ‘‘Evolutionary response under compressive, iso-force for: (a, b) the Ni49.9Ti50.1 and (c, d) the Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 tube actuators, indicating the axial displacement vs. time and the axial displacement vs. temperature variations over 50 thermal cycles’’. On page 1737, 1st paragraph, end of line 17 should read ‘‘...counterparts Fig. 9c, d ...’’. On page 1739, 2nd paragraph of section 4.3.3, 1st line should read ‘‘...parts (a), (c), and (e) of Fig. 14..... On page 1739, part (c) of the conclusion, end of line 8 should read... (contrast Fig. 7d and 9d.....