Improving hydrodynamic efficiency of composite marine propellers in off-design conditions using shape memory alloy composite actuators

Future ‘smart’ structures have the potential to revolutionize many engineering applications. One of the possible methods for creating smart structures is through the use of shape memory alloy (SMA) fibres embedded into metal matrices. Ultrasonic consolidation (UC) allows the embedding of SMAs into metal matrices while retaining the SMA's intrinsic recoverable deformation property. In this work, NiTi SMA fibres were successfully embedded into an Al 3003 (0) matrix via the UC layer manufacturing process. Initially the plastic flow of the Al matrix and the degree of fibre encapsulation were observed using optical microscopy. Then microstructural grain and sub-grain size variation of the Al 3003 (0) matrix at the fibre—matrix interface, and the nature of the fibre—matrix bonding mechanism, were studied via the use of focused ion beam (FIB) cross-sectioning, FIB imaging, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical peel testing. The results show that the inclusion of the NiTi SMA fibres had a significant effect on the surrounding Al matrix microstructure during the UC process. Additionally, the fibre—matrix bonding mechanism appeared to be mechanical entrapment with the SMA surface showing signs of fatigue from the UC embedding process.

The paper presents a methodology for evaluating the effective stiffness of unidirectional composite materials with shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers in the presence of matrix cracks. The solution is obtained for the case where SMA fibers in the intact composite are in the austenitic phase. However, elevated stresses in the sections of SMA fibers adjacent to the crack planes cause the martensitic transformation affecting the stiffness of the material. The solution has to account for thermal residual stresses in SMA and ordinary fibers and in the matrix. The order of magnitude of these stresses is calculated in the paper for two representative composite systems. As follows from the numerical examples, thermal residual stresses in the SMA fibers increase proportionally to their volume fraction but remain relatively small. However, thermal stresses in the matrix may reach rather high values reducing the strength of the matrix by a significant factor.

In this study, mortar beams reinforced by shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers of NiTi and NiTiNb alloys were prepared to perform crack-repairing tests using three-point bending tests. The SMA fibers had a length of 30 mm, and their types were straight, dog-bone, and dog-bone with paper wrapping. For the bending tests, twelve types of mortar beams with the dimensions of 40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm (B × H × L) were prepared. Half of them had a top steel reinforcement, and equal numbers of beams were assigned to the NiTi and NiTiNb fibers. Five SMA fibers were located at the bottom center of the beams along with an artificial crack of 10 mm depth and 1 mm thickness. Epoxy was used to fill the cracks to bond the cracked surfaces using injection, and a hot-gun was used to heat the SMA fibers in the cracks. The crack widths were measured before and after the cracks were repaired, and force–displacement curves were obtained to assess the flexural strength recovery ratio of the beams. It does not appear that the crack-closing capacity of SMA fibers is a crucial factor to recover the flexural strength in repaired beams. However, adequate application of epoxy is critical for repairing cracks, and the residual stress of SMA fibers seems to contribute to increase flexural strength of repaired beams. The residual stress of SMA fibers functions as prestress on mortar and delays the initiation of cracking.

Bond–slip characteristics of SMA reinforcing fibers obtained by pull-out tests

Micro-mechanics of composite with SMA fibers embedded in metallic/polymeric matrix under off-axial loadings

The paper shows method of smart forming composite structures and fundamentals of propose fabrication technology. The presented method is based on innovative 3D printing technics with SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) fibres application. The SMA fibres layout cause an eccentric axial load after thermal activation. The result of this process is composite structures deflection in a predictable direction. The technology demonstrator sample was fabricated as well as numerical simulations were performed in aim of proof of concept. The identification process was developed to determine the layout of SMA fibres. The simulations were performed in MATLAB and ANSYS environment, where the genetic algorithm was used to identify geometrical parameters. The MAC (Modal Assurance Criterion) criterion was used to compare nodal solution with the predefined shape pattern. The simulation results shows possibilities of forming composite structures on the example of deflected beam.

The instability of geometrically imperfect shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers reinforced with hybrid laminated composite (SMAHC) plates and subjected to a uniform thermal loading is analytically investigated. The material properties of the SMAHC plates are assumed to be functions of temperature. Nonlinear equations of the plates’ thermal stability are derived based on a higher order shear deformation theory incorporating von Karman geometrical nonlinearity via stationary potential energy. The structural recovery stress, which is generated by martensitic phase transformation of the prestrained SMA fibers, is calculated based on the one-dimensional thermodynamic constitutive model by Brinson. Adopting the Galerkin procedure, the governing nonlinear partial differential equations are converted into a set of nonlinear algebraic equations, in which systems of equations are solved by introducing an analytical approach. Closed-form formulations are presented to determine the load-deflection path and critical buckling temperature of the plate. Based on the developed closed-form solutions, ample numerical results are presented to provide an insight into the effects of the volume fraction, prestrain, location and orientation of the SMA fibers, composite plate geometry, geometrical imperfection and temperature dependence on the stability of the SMAHC plates. It is shown that a proper application of SMA fibers results in a considerable delay of the thermal bifurcation and controllable thermal post-buckling deflection of the SMAHC plate.

The use of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) materials for actuation represents a technological opportunity for the development of innovative applications. The issue of using the SMA actuators is an enticing solution that has attracted the interest of specialists in recent years, due to their numerous advantages (i.e. reliability, compactness and flexibility, reduced cost, linear or angular movement etc.). In addition, their unmatched energy density, easy integration into various structures and the simplicity in terms of design, have all motivated the authors to develop a barrier structure model, actuated by three SMA helical springs. The actuator used in this structure works as a linear actuator, contracting with great strength and speed, thus exerting the necessary force to lift the barrier arm in the SMA springs heat-activated, austenitic state. The first part of this paper provides a description of the accomplished model and of its functioning principle. The second part of the study presented in this paper focuses on the authors' investigation on how the performances of the actuator inserted in the barrier structure—namely the actuator's heating time, cooling time, actuation time and stroke—are affected by the SMA spring activating direct current values. The tests were conducted while keeping the geometrical parameters of SMA springs and the weight of the barrier arm constant.

We have developed a discretely actuated steerable probe for percutaneous procedures. We propose use of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators in our design due to their small size and high power density. SMAs are attractive actuators when large forces or displacements are required and limited spaces are available. SMA actuators are shape-setted to an arc shape and mounted on the outer surface of the probe to generate bending action upon thermal actuation. SMA can recover large deformation on thermal activation and recovery strain of SMA is related to its temperature. Hence, we propose controlling the temperature of the SMA actuators for position control of the probe by heating up the SMA wires at each joint. Pulse width modulation (PWM) based control scheme is used to be able to control all SMA wires simultaneously. PWM is implemented via use of a switching circuit. Proposed controller is validated through an experiment to heat up the SMA wires to a desired temperature. Another experiment is carried out inside gelatin to mimic the motion of the probe inside soft tissue. PWM control was successfully implemented and we were able to demonstrate local actuation of the steerable probe.

Micromechanical prediction of the two-way shape memory effect in shape memory alloy composites

Multifunctional shape memory composites composed of shape memory polymers and shape memory alloys exhibit superior shape memory properties; therefore, it is of great interest to researchers to model their thermo-mechanical behavior numerically. Although a number of constitutive models of shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers have been developed, very few models have been developed for shape memory composites and validated with experimental data. In this study, we first review separately constitutive models of shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers developed in previous studies. Both models were validated with thermo-mechanical tests conducted on a shape memory alloy fiber and shape memory polymer, respectively. A constitutive model for the shape memory composite was then developed utilizing the homogenization scheme. Shape memory composites containing 0.5% or 1% of the shape memory alloy fiber volume content embedded in the shape memory polymer matrix were fabricated. Thermo-mechanical tests were carried out on these shape memory composites to validate the proposed constitutive model. The experimental results showed that the proposed shape memory composite model was able to predict the general trend of the thermo-mechanical behavior of the shape memory composites.

Static and impact performance of engineered cementitious composites with hybrid graphite nano platelets modified PVA and shape memory alloy fibres

Crack-closing performance of NiTi and NiTiNb fibers in cement mortar beams using shape memory effects

The use of shape memory alloys (SMAs) in aerospace engineering

PurposeAdaptive bump inlet can adaptively change the shape of inlet bump surface according to the flight speed of aircraft, ensuring that the inlet has good inlet-engine match performance in a wide speed range. This paper aims to use a composite flexible skin reinforced by shape memory alloy (SMA) fiber as the deformable structure at bump surface to realize the adjustable bump surface of adaptive bump inlet.Design/methodology/approachAccording to the deformation and load-bearing requirements of adaptive bump, SMA is applied to the design of adaptive bump inlet due to its characteristic of super-elasticity. A kind of SMA fiber is studied. A composite flexible skin reinforced by SMA is proposed, and its mechanical properties are analyzed. On this basis, an adaptive bump inlet is designed in which the composite flexible skin reinforced by SMA is used as bump surface, and the shape of the bump surface is adjusted by way of pressuring. The design scheme and specific parameters of the adaptive bump are given.FindingsAn adaptive bump surface that meets the design requirements of the inlet is designed, which can effectively adjust the inlet throat area with a throat area change rate of 20%.Originality/valueAn adaptive bump inlet with composite flexible skin as a deformable structure at bump surface is designed, and SMA is applied as the reinforcing fiber.