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A hyperelastic-viscoplastic model of Gum Metal is presented. The model is formulated in the large strain framework. The free energy function is postulated consisting of the hyperelastic and viscoplastic components. Original extension of the Neo-Hooke model with a power law component is proposed for hyperelasticity, which enables to describe a relatively large non-linear elastic regime observed for the alloy. Viscoplastic strain follows the Perzyna-type law with an overstress function. The model is implemented into the finite element method and used to simulate the Gum Metal response in multiple tension loading-unloading cycles. The results are compared with experimental outcomes. Good accordance of the simulation results and the available experimental data is obtained.

The mechanical anisotropy of a multifunctional titanium alloy, Gum Metal, is investigated in this paper. The structural characterisation showed a strong texture for Gum Metal, that is a resul...

The quasi-static and high strain rate compressive behavior of Gum Metal with composition Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O (wt pct) has been investigated using an electromechanical testing machine and a split Hopkinson pressure bar, respectively. The stress–strain curves obtained for Gum Metal tested under monotonic and dynamic loadings revealed a strain-softening effect which intensified with increasing strain rate. Moreover, the plastic flow stress was observed to increase for both static and dynamic loading conditions with increasing strain rate. The microstructural characterization of the tested Gum Metal specimens showed particular deformation mechanisms regulating the phenomena of strain hardening and strain softening, namely an adiabatic shear band formed at ~ 45 deg with respect to the loading direction as well as widely spaced deformation bands (kink bands). Dislocations within the channels intersecting with twins may cause strain hardening while recrystallized grains and kink bands with crystal rotation inside the grains may lead to strain softening. A constitutive description of the compressive behavior of Gum Metal was proposed using a modified Johnson–Cook model. Good agreement between the experimental and the numerical data obtained in the work was achieved.

In recent decades, several novel Ti alloys have been developed in order to produce improved alternatives to the conventional alloys used in the biomedical industry such as commercially pure titanium or dual phase (alpha and beta) Ti alloys. Gum Metal with the non-toxic composition Ti–36Nb–2Ta–3Zr–0.3O (wt. %) is a relatively new alloy which belongs to the group of metastable beta Ti alloys. In this work, Gum Metal has been assessed in terms of its mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and cell culture response. The performance of Gum Metal was contrasted with that of Ti–6Al–4V ELI (extra-low interstitial) which is commonly used as a material for implants. The advantageous mechanical characteristics of Gum Metal, e.g. a relatively low Young's modulus (below 70 GPa), high strength (over 1000 MPa) and a large range of reversible deformation, that are important in the context of potential implant applications, were confirmed. Moreover, the results of short- and long-term electrochemical characterization of Gum Metal showed high corrosion resistance in Ringer's solution with varied pH. The corrosion resistance of Gum Metal was best in a weak acid environment. Potentiodynamic polarization studies revealed that Gum Metal is significantly less susceptible to pitting corrosion compared to Ti–6Al–4V ELI. The oxide layer on the Gum Metal surface was stable up to 8.5 V. Prior to cell culture, the surface conditions of the samples, such as nanohardness, roughness and chemical composition, were analyzed. Evaluation of the in vitro biocompatibility of the alloys was performed by cell attachment and spreading analysis after incubation for 48 h. Increased in vitro MC3T3-E1 osteoblast viability and proliferation on the Gum Metal samples was observed. Gum Metal presented excellent properties making it a suitable candidate for biomedical applications.

Mechanical behavior of a multifunctional titanium alloy Gum Metal was investigated by conducting tensile tests at various strain rates and applying digital image correlation (DIC) technique. Stress–strain curves confirmed low Young’s modulus and high strength of the alloy. The determined values of yield strength had a tendency to increase, whereas the elongation to the specimen rupture tended to decrease with increasing strain rate. True stress versus strain curves were analyzed using selected lengths of virtual extensometer (VE) placed in the strain localization area. When the initial length of the VE was the same as the gauge length, work hardening was observed macroscopically at lower strain rates, and a softening was seen at higher strain rates. However, the softening effect was not observed at the shorter VE lengths. Evolution of the Hencky strain and rate of deformation tensor component fields were analyzed for various strain rates at selected stages of Gum Metal loading. The DIC analysis demonstrated that for lower strain rates the deformation is macroscopically uniform up to the higher average Hencky strains, whereas for higher strain rates the strain localization occurs at the lower average Hencky strains of the deformation process and takes place in the smaller area. It was also found that for all strain rates applied, the maximal values of Hencky strain immediately before rupture of Gum Metal samples were similar for each of the applied strain rates, and the maximal local values of deformation rate were two orders higher when compared to applied average strain rate values.

This paper presents an investigation of thermomechanical effects related to the phenomena of stress relaxation occurring in TiNi SMA subjected to modified program of displacement-controlled tension. The deformation data were taken from testing machine, whereas the temperature changes accompanying the exothermic/endothermic martensite forward/reverse transformation were measured by infrared camera. At the advanced stages of the transformations, the strain was kept constant for a few minutes and the SMA load and temperature were recorded continuously. As a consequence, the stress and temperature changed significantly during the loading stops. A large stress drop, caused by the transformation, was observed during the relaxation stage in both courses of the SMA loading and unloading. Moreover, the non-uniform temperature distribution, reflecting macroscopically inhomogeneous transformation, lapsed while the strain was kept constant, yet restarted at the end of the relaxation stop and developed at the reloading stage. Along with the experimental results, the mechanical and thermal responses induced by the transformation were obtained by 3D coupled thermomechanical numerical analysis, realized in partitioned approach. Latent heat production was correlated with an amount of the martensitic volume fraction. The stress and temperature drops recorded during the experiment were satisfactorily reproduced by the model proposed for the SMA thermomechanical coupling.

This paper presents experimental and numerical results of a polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) subjected to cyclic tensile loading. The goal was to investigate the polymer yielding phenomena based on the effects of thermomechanical coupling. Mechanical characteristics were obtained with a testing machine, whereas the SMP temperature accompanying its deformation process was simultaneously measured in a contactless manner with an infrared camera. The SMP glass transition temperature was approximately 45 °C; therefore, when tested at room temperature, the polymer is rigid and behaves as solid material. The stress and related temperature changes at various strain rates showed how the SMP yield limit evolved in subsequent loading-unloading cycles under various strain rates. A two-phase model of the SMP was applied to describe its mechanical response in cyclic tension. The 3D Finite Element model of a tested specimen was used in simulations. Good agreement between the model predictions and experimental results was observed for the first tension cycle.

Effects of thermomechanical couplings were studied in a new beta Ti alloy by IR and DIC techniques. The obtained stress-strain curves confirmed low Young’s modulus and high strength of the alloy. The determined values of yield strength increases and values of elongation till rupture decreases with increasing strain rate. It was found, by using fast and sensitive infrared camera, that the large limit of the Gum Metal reversible nonlinear deformation originates from mechanisms of dissipative nature, probably exothermic stress-induced transition of ” nanodomains.

Results of initial investigation of thermomechanical couplings in innovative β-Ti alloy called Gum Metal subjected to tension are presented. The experimental set-up, consisting of testing machine and infrared camera, enabled to obtain stress–strain curves with high accuracy and correlate them to estimated temperature changes of the specimen during the deformation process. Both ultra-low elastic modulus and high strength of Gum Metal were confirmed. The infrared measurements determined average and maximal temperature changes accompanying the alloy deformation process, allowed to estimate thermoelastic effect, which is related to the alloy yield point. The temperature distributions on the specimen surface served to analyse strain localization effects leading to the necking and rupture.

(1) The paper presents experimental and numerical results of the TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) subjected to a modified program of force-controlled tensile loading. The time-dependent development of transformation strain under the constant-force conditions was investigated to describe transformation-induced creep phenomena. (2) Mechanical characteristics of the TiNi SMA were derived using a testing machine, whereas the SMA temperature changes accompanying its deformation were obtained in a contactless manner with an infrared camera. A 3D coupled thermo-mechanical numerical analysis, realized in a partitioned approach, was applied to describe the SMA mechanical and thermal responses. (3) The stress and related temperature changes demonstrated how the transformation-induced creep process started and evolved at various stages of the SMA loading. The proposed model reproduced the stress, strain and temperature changes obtained during the experiment well, the latent heat production is in correlation with the amount of the martensitic volume fraction. (4) It was demonstrated how the transformation-induced creep process occurring in the SMA under such conditions was involved in thermo-mechanical couplings and the related temperature changes.

This paper presents results of investigation of multifunctional β-Ti alloy Gum Metal subjected to tension at various strain rates. Digital image correlation was used to determine strain distributions and stress-strain curves, while infrared camera allowed for us to obtain the related temperature characteristics of the specimen during deformation. The mechanical curves completed by the temperature changes were applied to analyze the subsequent stages of the alloy loading. Elastic limit, recoverable strain, and development of the strain localization were studied. It was found that the maximal drop in temperature, which corresponds to the yield limit of solid materials, was referred to a significantly lower strain value in the case of Gum Metal in contrast to its large recoverable strain. The temperature increase proves a dissipative character of the process and is related to presence of ω and α″ phases induced during the alloy fabrication and their exothermic phase transformations activated under loading. During plastic deformation, both the strain and temperature distributions demonstrate that strain localization for higher strain rates starts nucleating just after the yield limit leading to specimen necking and rupture. Macroscopically, it is exhibited as softening of the stress-strain curve in contrast to the strain hardening observed at lower strain rates.

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are widely and frequently applied in cases when it is useful to employ their advantages through specific behavior (pseudoelasticity or shape memory effect) in various conditions. Effects of shape memory and pseudoelasticity can be employed in innovative ways as actuating or sensing elements in many nowadays applications. There are various alloying elements which can form a SMA such as Ni, Ti, Cr, Cu, etc., but the most frequently used and known alloy is NiTi. By addition of other alloying elements the properties of the SMA can be changed to fit demands of the consumers. The investigation of such materials is very important for successful application, so the researchers investigate procedures and algorithms for comparison of experimental and numerical results to provide the best performance of SMA devices. Strong thermomechanical coupling is observed during the SMA loading, so SMA are known as highly thermosensitive materials what can be used as advantage, but also it can be a problem during the alloy production process. The strong thermomechanical coupling and the related high thermosensitivity increase the need for simulation of complex thermomechanical response in realistic problems. The complex stress states and deformation range impose the requirements for accurate analysis of large strain problems. Application of SMA started several decades ago with an engineering application in pipe couplings, while today one of the most commonly known are biomedical applications (i.e. cardiovascular stents and orthodontic braces). The main reasons for wide range of biomedical applications of NiTi alloys are the specific behavior, good biocompatibility and good fatigue performance what is important factor under the high cyclic external loading.

Multifunctional new material—polyurethane shape memory polymer (PU-SMP)—was subjected to tension carried out at room temperature at various strain rates. The influence of effects of thermomechanical couplings on the SMP mechanical properties was studied, based on the sample temperature changes, measured by a fast and sensitive infrared camera. It was found that the polymer deformation process strongly depends on the strain rate applied. The initial reversible strain is accompanied by a small drop in temperature, called thermoelastic effect. Its maximal value is related to the SMP yield point and increases upon increase of the strain rate. At higher strains, the stress and temperature significantly increase, caused by reorientation of the polymer molecular chains, followed by the stress drop and its subsequent increase accompanying the sample rupture. The higher strain rate, the higher stress, and temperature changes were obtained, since the deformation process was more dynamic and has occurred in almost adiabatic conditions. The constitutive model of SMP valid in finite strain regime was developed. In the proposed approach, SMP is described as a two-phase material composed of hyperelastic rubbery phase and elastic-viscoplastic glassy phase, while the volume content of phases is specified by the current temperature.

TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) was subjected to tension at strain-controlled test on quasistatic testing machine. The nucleation, development, and saturation of the stress-induced martensitic transformation were investigated, taking into account the obtained dependency of mechanical parameters and the specimen temperature changes measured by an infrared camera (IR). Three kinds of data obtained by the IR system were analyzed: the temperature distribution on the SMA sample surface, the temperature changes derived as average from the chosen sample area, and the temperature profiles obtained along the sample length. The temperature distribution shows nucleation of the transformation process and a creation of the transformation bands. The average temperature reflects the effects of thermomechanical coupling, accompanying exothermic martensitic forward and endothermic reverse transformation. The temperature profiles revealed the temperature difference between the band and the rest of the sample. The experimental results were supported with finite element method numerical analysis (FEM). The FEM software components for structural and heat transfer problems, coupled in partitioned approach, were used for thermomechanical analysis.

In this paper, an experimental study of thermomechanical coupling related to pseudoelastic deformation of ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) is presented. NiFeGaCo single crystal was subjected to subsequent loading-unloading compres- sion cycles. The stress-strain parameters were recorded by mechanical and laser extensometers. Fast and sensitive infrared camera was used in order to record infrared radiation emitted by the sample surface during the deformation process and to calculate temperature changes related to both exothermic for- ward and endothermic reverse martensitic transfor- mations. Thanks to the applied techniques, we could investigate a nucleation and development of the stress- induced martensitic transformation. The obtained thermograms exposure localized character of the transformation, initiating in form of inclined bands of higher temperature and developing throughout the sample. The elaborated average temperature change of the SMA sample surface reflects an instantaneous rate of the transformation development. High repeatability of both mechanical and temperature changes obtained in the subsequent loading cycles indicates good thermomechanical properties of the FSMA crystal and confirms high accuracy of the measurement.

In order to develop novel shape memory actuators, the torsional deformation of a shape memory alloy (SMA) tape and the actuator models driven by the tape were investigated. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. In the SMA tape subjected to torsion, the martensitic transformation appears along the edge of the tape due to elongation of the edge of the tape and grows to the central part. The fatigue life in both the pulsating torsion and the alternating torsion is expressed by the unified relationship of the dissipated work in each cycle. Based on an opening and closing door model and a solar-powered active blind model, the two-way rotary driving actuator with a small and simple mechanism can be developed by using torsion of the SMA-tape.

Fast and sensitive infrared camera was used in order to capture thermal effects accompanying SMA and SMP loading on testing machine. Nucleation and development of stress-induced exothermic martensite forward and endothermic reverse transformations in SMA were monitored. Temperature changes related to various stages of the SMP deformation, including inhomogeneous temperature distribution related to the strain localization, were presented. The SMA and SMP thermomechanical behavior depending on the strain rate was discussed.

TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) specimens have been subjected to tension carried out at various strain rates. The goal was to investigate a nucleation and development of the stress-induced martensitic transformation by infrared (IR) and acoustic emission (AE) techniques. Therefore, both the infrared radiation and acoustic emission data were recorded using a fast infrared camera and acoustic emission set-up, respectively. It has been shown that the initial, macroscopically homogeneous transformation initiates in the elastic stage of the deformation even before the stress-strain curve knee and formation of the localized transformation bands. It has also been found that the homogeneous transformation occurs at similar stress level for all strain rates applied, while the localized martensitic transformation depends on the strain rate. Nucleation and development of the localized transformation bands, detected by the infrared camera, were confirmed by acoustic emission technique. The differences between the IR and AE activities were recorded during the TiNi SMA loading and unloading process, manifesting different dynamics of the stress-induced martensitic forward and reverse transformation. K e y w o r d s : shape memory alloy, TiNi, superelasticity, martensitic transformation, tension test, acoustic emission

If the shape memory alloy is subjected to the subloop loading under the stress-controlled condition, creep and creep recovery can appear based on the martensitic transformation. In the design of shape memory alloy elements, these deformation properties are important since the deflection of shape memory alloy elements can change under constant stress. The conditions for the progress of the martensitic transformation are discussed based on the kinetics of the martensitic transformation for the shape memory alloy. During loading under constant stress rate, temperature increases due to the stress-induced martensitic transformation. If stress is held constant during the martensitic transformation stage in the loading process, temperature decreases and the condition for the progress of the martensitic transformation is satisfied, resulting in the transformation-induced creep deformation. If stress is held constant during the reverse transformation stage in the unloading process, creep recovery appears due to the reverse transformation. The details for these thermomechanical properties are investigated experimentally for TiNi shape memory alloy, which is most widely used in practical applications. The volume fraction of the martensitic phase increases in proportion to an increase in creep strain.

This paper investigates the superelastic deformation behaviors of a TiNi shape-memory alloy (SMA) tape subjected to various subloop loadings in relation to local temperature variations and observed surface changes during a tension test. The results obtained are: (1) Upper and lower stress plateaus appear during loading and unloading accompanying the spreading and shrinking of the stress-induced martensitic transformation (SIMT) bands. In the case of unloading from the upper stress plateau under low stress rate, strain increases due to the spreading of the SIMT bands at the start of the unloading. (2) If stress at the upper stress plateau is held constant, creep deformation appears with the spread of the SIMT bands. The volume fraction in the martensitic phase increases in proportion to the increase in strain. (3) Where the strain is made to vary at the stress plateaus during loading or unloading, a return point memory effect can be seen in the reloading stress­strain curve. The spreading or shrinking of the SIMT bands starts from the boundary of the previous SIMT bands remaining from the preceding process. (4) The inclination angle of the SIMT band boundaries to the tensile axis of the tape is 33° for an aspect ratio of 5. The inclination angle is 42° in the center of the tape and 37° in the vicinity of the end secured by the grip, for an aspect ratio of 10. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2011288]

In this study, the thermomechanical coupling effects accompanying stress-induced martensitic transformation in TiNi shape memory alloy subjected to compression test were investigated. The mechanical characteristics were elaborated and the temperature changes related to the exothermic martensitic forward transformation and the endothermic reverse one were measured in a contactless manner by a fast and sensitive infrared camera. The obtained temperature changes of the specimen depend on the strain rate applied. At higher strain rate, greater temperature changes were observed, because the heat flow to the surroundings was lower and the process was closer to adiabatic conditions. The temperature changes of the shape memory alloy significantly influence its stress­strain characteristics. Moreover, the energy dissipated during a compression cycle was calculated for various strain rates. The study revealed that both the loading work and recoverable strain energy increase with increasing strain rate, while the dissipated energy fraction decreases. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2012212]

Investigation of Thermomechanical Properties of Ferromagnetic NiFeGa Shape Memory Alloy Subjected to Pseudoelastic Compression TestIn the study stress-induced reversible phase transformation in NiFeGa magnetically controlled shape memory alloy subjected to pseudoelastic compression test was investigated. The specimen's mechanical characteristics and temperature changes related to the exothermic martensite transformation and endothermic reverse transformation were measured in contact-less way by using a fast and sensitive infrared camera (IR). It was found that the stress-induced phase transformation process occurs in this alloy in heterogeneous way, since the observed specimen's temperature distribution was not uniform. Stress-strain curves obtained for the first, as well as for the subsequent six loading-unloading compression cycles and their related temperature changes, elaborated as average from the specimen's surface, were analyzed. It was concluded that the stress and the temperature changes developing in the subsequent cycles depend on the applied test conditions, however the highest discrepancies were observed between the first and the second cycles of the compression loading.

The SMC belt composed of two kinds of SMAs and SMP was fabricated and the three-way movement and recovery force in bending were investigated. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. (1) The three-way bending movement was achived during heating and cooling based on the characteristics of the SMA tapes and the SMP sheet. (2) The recovery force increased during heating and decreased during cooling. The recovery force was evaluated by the proposed simple model.

Infrared imaging and thermomechanical behavior of stress-induced martensite transformation occurring in shape memory alloys is presented. TiNi shape memory alloy specimens have been subjected to a modified program of a stress-controlled tension test, i.e. at various stages of the martensite transformation the loading was kept constant for 3 min. After that the specimen was reloaded to the martensite transformation limit, followed by unloading, when the reverse transformation occurred. During the loading and unloading processes the specimen mechanical parameters and the infrared radiation from the specimen surface were continuously recorded. By comparison of the obtained stress–strain curves and the elaborated temperature characteristics, the current state and the progress of the martensite transformation developing in the shape memory alloy under these conditions has been studied.

In order to develop the rotary driving element with SMA thin strip, the torsional deformation and fatigue properties of a TiNi SMA thin strip were investigated. The results obtained are summarized as follows. (1) In the SMA thin strip subjected to torsion, the MT appears along the edge of the strip due to elongation of the edge of the strip and grows to the central part. (2) The number of cycles to failure decreases with an increase in the maximum angle of twist in torsion fatigue. The fatigue life in pulsating torsion is longer than that in alternating torsion by five times. The fatigue limit exists in a certain value of disspated work of the strip in each cycle. (3) Based on the two-way motion of a lifting model by using two kinds of SMA thin strip, it is confirmed that the two-way driving element with a small and simple mechanism can be developed by using the SMA thin strips.

Thermomechanical and functional properties of shape memory polyurethane are presented. A background of the polymer shape memory effects is described. Elastic modulus at various temperatures and the polyurethane parameters important for the practical applications, called shape fixity and shape recovery, are derived. Taking advantages from the high quality testing machine and infrared camera, mechanical characteristics and temperature changes of the shape memory polyurethane specimens subjected to tension test carried out in various conditions are clarified and analyzed. Stress-strain curves and the relevant temperature changes are recorded both in the elastic and the plastic ranges of deformation. A significant value of a thermoelastic effect is observed. Taking into account the obtained experimental data from the polyurethane tension tests performed at room temperature, followed by the heating above its glass transition temperature, the shape memory polyurethane properties are studied.

If a shape-memory alloy (SMA) thin strip is applied as an element subjected to torsion, a rotary driving element with a simple mechanism can be developed. The torsion tests were carried out for the SMA thin strip. Torque and recovery torque, both increase in proportion to the angle of twist and temperature. The recoverable strain energy increases in proportion to temperature. The dissipated work decreases slightly with an increase in temperature. A means of opening and closing a door with an element driven by an SMA thin strip is demonstrated.

The shape memory effect and superelasticity appear in shape memory alloy (SMA). The large amount of strain by more than several hundreds percent can be recovered in shape memory polymer (SMP). The shape recovery and shape fixity can be used in SMP elements. These characteristics of shape memory materials (SMMs) can be applied to intelligent elements in various fields. In order to use these characteristics and design the SMM elements properly, it is important to understand the thermomechanical properties of SMAs and SMPs. The deformation behaviors of SMMs differ depending on the thermomechanical loading conditions. The main factors which affect these properties are strain rate, stress rate, temperature, subloop loading, temperature-controlled condition, strain holding condition and cyclic loading. In the present paper, the thermomechanical properties of TiNi shape memory alloy, polyurethane-shape memory polymer and their composite are discussed.

Investigation into the quasi-static simple shear of shape memory alloy (SMA) was carried out. A special grip was designed which allowed replacing compression into the shear process on testing machine. At the same time the shear zone temperature was observed by an infrared camera. The mechanical and thermal characteristics of sheet specimens of NiTi subjected to superelastic shear deformation due to reversible stress-induced phase transformation were clarified. By comparison of the data, the processes of martensite and reverse transformations during the shear deformation were analysed. The investigation shows that stages of the phase transformations during the simple shear process are similar like those observed during tension test. Moreover, during the simple shear deformation no uniform temperature distributions were noticed, especially at higher shear rate, manifesting that the stress-induced phase transformation during the shear process is also inhomogeneous. The thermomechanical properties of the NiTi SMA for various shear rates were investigated. It was found that an increase in the strain rate results in an increase in temperature variation, the shear stresses and the magnitude of hysteresis loops between the forward and reverse transformations.

Powder metallurgy technology was elaborated for consolidation of shape memory NiTi powders. The shape memory alloy was compacted from the prealloyed powder delivered by Memry SA. The powder shows Ms = 10°C and As = -34°C as results from DSC measurements. The samples were hot pressed in the as delivered spherical particle's state. The hot compaction was performed in a specially constructed vacuum press, at temperature of 680°C and pressure of 400 MPa. The alloy powder was encapsulated in copper capsules prior to hot pressing to avoid oxidation or carbides formation. The alloy after hot vacuum compaction at 680°C (i.e. within the B2 NiTi stability range) has shown similar transformation range as the powder. The porosity of samples compacted in the as delivered state was only 1%. The samples tested in compression up to e = 0.06 have shown partial superelastic effect due to martensitic reversible transform- ation which started at the stress above 300 MPa and returned back to e = 0.015 after unloading. They have shown also a high ultimate compression strength of 1600 MPa. Measurements of the samples temperature changes during the process allowed to detect the temperature increase above 12°C for the strain rate 10-2 s-1 accompanied the exothermic martensite transformation during loading and the temperature decrease related to the reverse endothermic transformation during unloading.

The characteristics of energy storage and dissipation in TiNi shape memory alloys were investigated experimentally based on the superelastic properties under various thermomechanical loading conditions. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. (1) The recoverable strain energy increases in proportion to the rise in temperature, but the dissipated work per unit volume depends slightly on temperature. In the case of low strain rates, the recoverable strain energy and dissipated work do not depend on both the strain rate and the temperature-controlled condition. (2) In the case of high strain rates, while the recoverable strain energy decreases and the dissipated work increases in proportion to the rise in strain rate under the temperature-controlled condition, the recoverable strain energy increases and the dissipated work decreases under the temperatureuncontrolled condition.

The main characteristics which appear in shape memory alloys (SMAs) are the shape memory effect and superelasticity. In applications of SMAs, the thermomechanical properties of SMAs are most important. The return-point memory does not appear under the stress-controlled conditions. Creep and stress relaxation can be induced due to the phase transformation in the subloop loading under the stress-controlled conditions. In order to design the SMA elements properly, it is important to understand the influence of the thermomechanical loading conditions on the nucleation and progress of the phase transformation and the corresponding deformation behaviors. In the present paper, the conditions for the nucleation and progress of the phase transformation are investigated for SMAs subjected to the subloop loadings under the stress-controlled conditions. The uniaxial tension tests for the TiNi SMAs were carried out in the superelastic region under the various thermomechanical loading conditions. The thermomechanical conditions for the progress of the phase transformation are discussed in the subloop loading under the stresscontrolled conditions. Strain increases during unloading and decreases during reloading under the stress-controlled subloop loading. These pseudoviscoelastic behaviors are important for the precise control of SMA elements. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MRA2007097]

Nucleation and development of phase transformation fronts in TiNi shape memory alloy subjected to the stress- and strain-controlled tension tests were investigated. A thermovision camera was applied to register the distribution of infrared radiation emitted by the specimen and to find its temperature variations. During the loading, narrow bands of considerably higher temperature corresponding to the martensitic phase, starting from the central part of the specimen and developing towards the specimen grips, under both approaches, were registered. The inclined bands of heterogeneous temperature distribution were observed also during the unloading process of the SMA, while the reverse transformation accompanied by temperature decrease took place. Thermomechanical aspects of martensitic and reverse transformations for various strain rates were analyzed under both stress- and strain-controlled tests.

Properties and characteristics of superelastic deformation behavior based on Luders-Like phase transformation bands in TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) are presented. Temperature distributions accompanying the stress-induced phase transformations in the SMA are found using the infrared technique and employed for the investigation into nucleation and further development of the bands of martensitic and reverse transformations. Based on the temperature and the relevant mechanical characteristics it is noticed that just after crossing a certain threshold stress, narrow bands of considerably higher temperature, about 8 K, corresponding to the martensitic phase, appear starting from the central part of the specimen and developing towards the both specimen borders. A few such bands parallel to each other occur at higher stresses and move towards the specimen grips, as well as their next generation, developing in almost perpendicular direction. The heterogeneous field of the temperature distribution was observed also during the unloading process, while the reverse transformation occurred, also inhomogeneous and related to the significant temperature decrease. Based on the tests carried out with various strain rates, an influence of the strain rate on the mechanical behavior was presented. Thermomechanical aspects of the martensitic and the reverse transformations were discussed.

The characteristics of energy storage and dissipation in TiNi shape memory alloys were investigated experimentally based on the superelastic properties under various thermomechanical loading conditions. The influence of strain rate, cyclic loading and temperature-controlled condition on the characteristics of energy storage and dissipation of the material was investigated. Temperature on the surface of the material was observed and the influence of variation in temperature on the characteristics was clarified. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. (1) In the case of low strain rate, the stress plateaus appear on the stress-strain curves due to the martensitic transformation and the reverse transformation during loading and unloading. In the case of high strain rate, the slopes of the stress–strain curves are steep in the phase-transformation regions during loading and unloading. The recoverable strain energy per unit volume increases in proportion to temperature, but the dissipated work per unit volume depends slightly on temperature. In the case of low strain rate, the recoverable strain energy and dissipated work do not depend on both strain rate and the temperature-controlled condition. (2) In the case of high strain rate, while the recoverable strain energy density decreases and dissipated work density increases in proportion to strain rate under the temperature-controlled condition, the recoverable strain energy density increases and dissipated work density decreases under the temperature-uncontrolled condition. In the case of the temperature-uncontrolled condition, temperature varies significantly due to the martensitic transformation and therefore the characteristics of energy storage and dissipation differ from these under the temperature-controlled condition. (3) In the case of cyclic loading, both the recoverable strain energy and dissipated work decrease in the early 20 cycles, but change slightly thereafter. (4) The influence of strain rate, cyclic loading and the environment on the characteristics of energy storage and dissipation is important to be considered in the design of shape memory alloy elements.

The attention of the present paper is focused on the aid provided by infrared thermography, for spectacular investigation of nucleation and further development of the stress induced phase transitions in TiNi shape memory alloy. This is a qualitative analysis aimed to verify the feasibility of further study in the application of IR for studying change phenomena. To this end, the material stress-strain curves, obtained during tension test with various strain rates, were completed by the temperature characteristics. The temperature distributions on the specimen's surface were determined by using an infrared camera. A heterogeneous temperature distribution, related to the nucleation and development of the new martensite phase, were registered and analyzed. A significant temperature increase, up to 30 K was registered during the martensite transformation. Similar effects of the heterogeneous temperature distribution were observed during unloading, while the reverse transformation, austenite into martensite, to...

Temperature changes during tensile test and simple shear test of TiNi shape memory alloys loaded at various strain rates and at different temperatures have been presented. The temperature changes were measured by recording infrared radiation emitted by the surface of the specimen. It was found that the martensite transformation was accompanied by an increase in temperature while the reversible transformation––temperature decrease.

The experimental results obtained during uniaxial low cyclic deformation of two forms of polyamide: sheet samples of solid material and fibrous safety belts are presented. The temperature and stress vs. strain characteristics were found in both the elastic and plastic ranges. The change of the character of the sample temperature was applied as a criterion for the limit between the elastic and plastic regime. The discrepancies observed between the temperature characteristics of the solid and the belt samples were discussed.

The transformation-induced stress relaxation and stress recovery of TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) in stress-controlled subloop loading were investigated based on the local variation in temperature and transformation band on the surface of the tape in the tension test. The results obtained are summarized as follows. (1) In the loading process, temperature increases due to the exothermic martensitic transformation (MT) until the holding strain and thereafter temperature decreases while holding the strain constant, resulting in stress relaxation due to the MT, (2) In the unloading process, temperature decreases due to the endothermic reverse transformation until the holding strain and thereafter temperature increases while holding the strain constant, resulting in stress recovery due to the reverse transformation, (3) Stress varies markedly in the initial stage followed by gradual change while holding the strain constant, (4) If the stress rate is high until the holding strain in the loading and unloading processes, both stress relaxation and stress recovery are large, (5) It is important to take into account this behavior in the design of SMA elements, since the force of SMA elements varies even if the atmospheric temperature is kept constant.

In this paper we present the effects of thermomechanical couplings occurring in polyurethane shape memory polymer subjected to cyclic tensile loadings conducted at various strain rates. Stress–strain characteristics were elaborated using a quasistatic testing machine, whereas the specimen temperature changes accompanying the deformation process were obtained with an infrared camera. We demonstrate a tight correlation between the mechanical and thermal results within the initial loading stage. The polymer thermomechanical behaviour in four subsequent loading-unloading cycles and the influence of the strain rate on the stress and the related temperature changes were also examined. In the range of elastic deformation the specimen temperature drops below the initial level due to thermoelastic effect whereas at the higher strains the temperature always increased, due to the dissipative deformation mechanisms. The difference in the characteristics of the specimen temperature has been applied to determine a limit of the polymer reversible deformation and analyzed for various strain rates. It was shown that at the higher strain rates higher values of the stress and temperature changes are obtained, which are related to higher values of the polymer yield points. During the cyclic loading a significant difference between the first and the second cycle was observed. The subsequent loading-unloading cycles demonstrated similar sharply shaped stress and temperature profiles and gradually decrease in values.

The infrared imaging of stress-induced martensitic transformation occurring in TiNi shape memory alloy subjected to deformation in various conditions has been presented. During the loading and unloading processes the mechanical parameters and the infrared radiation from the specimen surface have been continuously recorded by infrared camera. Basing on the obtained stress-strain curves and the elaborated temperature changes it was found that onset of the martensitic transformation appears at the end of the elastic part of the stress-strain curve, since a temperature increase was noticed there. The uniform temperature distribution observed there means that the initial transformation started at this stage is macroscopically homogeneous. It is followed by the martensitic intense transformation, related to the significant temperature increase. The more advanced transformation, the higher temperature changes. For the shape memory alloy pseudoelastic behavior the narrow bands of higher temperature are observed, manifesting localized Luders-like deformation. For the shape memory effect behavior the process of transformation is much more homogeneous and characterized by uniform temperature distribution. Using a modern, sensitive and fast dynamic infrared camera enables to obtain new results of the start and development of the martensite forward and reverse transformation.

Transformation induced effects in shape memory alloy (SMA) subjected to tension test at room temperature are investigated. The experiments were carried out on belt type specimens TiNi SMA of the constitution Ti-55.3wt%Ni, sizes 160x10x0.4 mm and A f temperature 283 K. The loading was realized on high quality testing machine, which enables to obtain the stress-strain characteristics with high accuracy. Smart infrared camera was used to register the temperature distribution on the specimen surface and to find its temperature changes with the accuracy up to 0.05K.

The investigations of the quasistatic two-sides simple shear of NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) have been carried out. The goal of this study was obtaining the mechanical and thermal characteristics during the shear process. By comparison of them the processes of martensite and reverse transformations during the shear process can be analyzed.