Shape memory alloys are a class of alloys that display the unique ability to undergo large plastic deformations and return to their original shape either through the application of heat (shape memory effect) or by relieving the stress causing the deformation (superelastic effect). This research takes advantage of the unique characteristics of shape memory alloys in order to provide a moment resisting connection with recentering capabilities. In this study, superelastic Nitinol, a nickel-titanium form of shape memory alloy that exhibits a flag-shaped stress versus strain curve, is used as the moment transfer elements within a partially restrained steel beam-column connection. Experimental testing consists of a one-half scale interior connection where the loading is applied at the column tip. A pseudo-static cyclic loading history is used which is intended to simulate earthquake loadings. The energy dissipation characteristics, moment-rotation characteristics, and deformation capacity of the connection are quantified. Results are then compared to tests where A36 steel tendons are used as the moment transfer elements. The superelastic Nitinol tendon connection showed superior performance to the A36 steel tendon connection, including the ability to recenter without residual deformation.

M. Tech. Metallurgical Engineering. / Studies the corrosion behavior of sintered Ni-Ti shape memory alloys containing Cu and Nb additions.Objectives are: 1. Investigate structural and phased interactions occurring during the sintering of the allloys. 2. Study the effects of niobium and copper addition on the general corrosion behavior of the sintered nickel-titanium alloys in sodium chloride and sulphuric acid. 3. Study the effects of copper and niobium addition on localized corrosion behavior of the alloys in chloride environments.

M. Tech. Metallurgical Engineering. / StudIes the tribocorrosion behaviour of copper-nickel-titanium shape memory composite reinforced by zirconia,synthesized through powder metallurgy process. The research aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Study the tribocorrosion mechanisms of the composites in NaCl solution (typical human body fluid). 2. Investigate the tribocorrosion mechanisms of the composites in other environments typical of some engineering applications.The proposed study on incorporating zirconia into the matrix NiTiCu through powder metallurgical process and investigations of the phenomenon of joint wear-corrosion synergism occurring in sodium chloride considered typical of human body system and sulphuric acid environment typical of wide range engineering applications is therefore very novel. It is therefore aimed that information on the tribocorrosion behaviour of NiTiCu as well as with zirconia incorporation will form basis for typical compositional formulation approaches for improved bio-tribocorrosion improvement in biomedical applications and actuators used in other engineering applications.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are widely used in a broad variety of applications in multiscale devices ranging from nano-actuators used in nano-electrical-mechanical systems (NEMS) to large energy absorbing elements in civil engineering applications. This research introduces a multiscale analysis for SMAs, particularly Nickel-Titanium alloys (NiTi). SMAs are studied in a variety of length scales ranging from macroscale to nanoscale. In macroscale, a phenomenological constitutive framework is adopted and developed by adding the effect of phase transformation latent heat. Analytical closed-form solutions are obtained for modeling the coupled thermomechanical behavior of various large polycrystalline SMA devices subjected to different loadings, including uniaxial loads, torsion, and bending. Thermomechanical responses of several SMA devices are analyzed using the introduced solutions and the results are validated by performing various experiments on some large SMA elements. In order to study some important properties of polycrystalline SMAs that the macroscopic phenomenological frameworks cannot capture, including the texture and intergranular effects in polycrystalline SMAs, a micromechanical framework with a realistic modeling of the grains based on Voronoi tessellations is used. The local form of the first law of thermodynamics is used and the energy balance relations for the polycrystalline SMAs are obtained. Generalized coupled thermomechanical governing equations considering the phase transformation latent heat are derived for polycrystalline SMAs. A three-dimensional finite element framework is used and different polycrystalline samples are modeled. By considering appropriate distributions of crystallographic orientations in the grains obtained from experimental texture measurements of NiTi samples the effects of texture and the tension-compression asymmetry on the thermomechanical response of polycrystalline SMAs are studied. The interaction between the stress state (tensile or compressive), number of grains, and the texture on the thermomechanical response of polycrystalline SMAs is also studied. For studying some aspects of the thermomechanical properties of SMAs that cannot be studied neither by the phenomenological constitutive models nor by the micromechanical models, molecular dynamics simulations are used to explore the martensitic phase transformation in NiTi alloys at the atomistic level. The martensite reorientation, austenite to martensite phase transformation, and twinning mechanisms in NiTi nanostructures are analyzed and the effect of various parameters including the temperature and size on the phase transformation at the atomistic level is studied. Results of this research provide insight into studying pseudoelasticity and shape memory response of NiTi alloys at different length scales and are useful for better understanding the solid-to-solid phase transformation at the atomistic level, and the effects of this transformation on the microstructure of polycrystal SMAs and the macroscopic response of these alloys.

In this thesis, I present studies in the field of terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. These studies are divided into three areas: Development of a narrowband THz source, the study of carrier transport in metal thin films, and the exploration of coherent dynamics of quasi-particles in semiconductor nanostructures with both broadband and narrowband THz sources. The narrowband THz source makes use of type II difference frequency generation (DFG) in a nonlinear crystal to generate THz waves. By using two linearly chirped, orthogonally polarized optical pulses to drive the DFG, we were able to produce a tunable source of strong, narrowband THz radiation. The broadband source makes use of optical rectification of an ultra-short optical pulse in a nonlinear crystal to generate a single-cycle THz pulse. Linear spectroscopic measurements were taken on NiTi-alloy thin films of various thicknesses and titanium concentrations with broadband THz pulses as well as THz power transmission measurements. By applying a combination of the Drude model and Fresnel thin-film coefficients, we were able to extract the DC resistivity of the NiTi-alloy thin films. Using the narrowband source of THz radiation, we explored the exciton dynamics of semiconductor quantum wells. These dynamics were made sense of by observing time-resolved transmission measurements and comparing them to theoretical calculations. By tuning the THz photon energy near exciton transition energies, we were able to observe extreme nonlinear optical transients including the onset of Rabi oscillations. Furthermore, we applied the broadband THz waves to quantum wells embedded in a microcavity, and time-resolved reflectivity measurements were taken. Many interesting nonlinear optical transients were observed, including interference effects between the modulated polariton states in the sample. / Graduation date: 2012

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. / This thesis outlines a proposed mechanical design, prototyping and testing of a five fingered artificial hand made of 15 articulated joints actuated by Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) mimicking muscular functions. SMAs Artificial muscles were incorporated in the forearm and artificial tendons made of nylon wires passing through a hollow palm transmit the pulling force to bend the fingers. Torsion springs set in each joint of the fingers create enough restoring force to straighten the finger when the actuators are disengaged. Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) wires were intrinsically embedded within the hand structure allowing significant movements mimicking human hand-like gestures. A control box made of switches connected to the artificial hand helps to control each gesture. A modular approach was taken in the design to facilitate the manufacture and assembly processes. Nickel-Titanium wires were used as actuators to perform the artificial muscle functions by changing their crystallographic structures due to Joule's heating. Rapid prototyping techniques were employed to manufacture the hand in ABS plastic.

Orientador: Itamar Ferreira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T18:16:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Almeida_FabianoCosta_M.pdf: 5847726 bytes, checksum: 145c2a03eac9f5421c57057a5a6f9cb6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Os instrumentos endodônticos rotatórios de Ni-Ti (limas rotatórias) são utilizados para o preparo dos condutos radiculares e apresentam características de memória de forma, alta flexibilidade e geometria variável. Apesar dessas características, quando solicitados no uso clínico endodôntico, algumas vezes, apresentam fratura no interior dos condutos radiculares tendo como conseqüência uma diminuição no período de utilização, alto custo e a presença de iatrogenias. Este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma análise de falha de dois tipos de instrumentos endodônticos rotatórios de Ni-Ti, ProTaper® e ProFile® do mesmo fabricante (Dentsply-Tulsa Dental-Suíça), com geometrias diferentes, utilizando algumas limas com falha em serviço, e ensaios de fadiga de limas sem uso, por flexão rotativa, visando a obtenção de referenciais de micromecanismos de fratura. Foram realizadas análises químicas, por Espectrometria de Fluorescência de raios X e por Difração de raios X, metalográfica, por microscopia óptica, e fratográfica, por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, e ensaios de microdureza e de fadiga, por flexão rotativa, nos dois tipos de limas. Os resultados mostraram que as composições químicas dos dois tipos de limas são iguais, contendo, em peso, 58% de níquel e 42% de titânio, sendo possível identificar, por metalografia, duas fases, Ti2Ni (fase secundária) e TiNi (matriz). Os níveis médios de microdureza encontrados foram de 344HV1, para a lima ProTaper, e de 330HV1, para a lima ProFile. A fratografia possibilitou a identificação de duas regiões na superfície de fratura das limas, com fratura em serviço e submetidas aos ensaios de flexão rotativa, uma correspondente à zona de fadiga, e outra, a zona de fratura final, com avéolos ou "dimples". Foi possível concluir que a falha das limas analisadas foi por fadiga. / Abstract: Rotary endodontic instruments of Ni-Ti (rotary files) are used in order to prepare endodontic dental conducts and show memory shape, high flexibility, and different designs. Although these characteristics, when used in endodontics clinic, sometimes occur fracture inside the conduct of the tooth and, as a result of that, low life, high cost, and iatrogen. The propose of this study is to realize a failure analysis of two different endodontic files, ProTaper® and ProFile®, of Ni-Ti, from the same maker and different shapes, by using some files with failure in service, and fatigue test in files, without use, in rotating bend, to obtain references in terms of micromechanisms of fracture. Were realized chemical analysis, by spectrometry of X-Ray fluorescence and X-Ray diffration, metallograthy, by optical microscopy, and fratographic, by scanning electron microscopy, and microhardness and fatigue tests, in the two types of files, ProTaper and ProFile. The results show the chemical composition of the two files are the same, with 58% of nickel and 42% of titanium, in weight, and was possible to identify, by metallography, two phases, Ti2Ni (secondary phase) and TiNi (matrix). The median levels of microhardness were 344HV1, for the ProTaper® file, and 330HV1, for the ProFile® file. It was possible to identify, by scanning electron microscopy, two different regions on the fracture surface of the files, for fracture from service and from the fatigue tests, one correspondent to the fatigue zone, and another, the final fracture, show dimples. It was possible to conclude that the failure of the analyzed files was by fatigue. / Mestrado / Materiais e Processos de Fabricação / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

In an effort to mitigate damage caused by earthquakes to the built environment, civil engineers have been commissioned to research, design, and build increasingly robust and resilient structural systems. Innovative means to accomplish this task have emerged, such as integrating Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) into structural systems. SMAs are a unique class of materials that have the ability to spontaneously recover strain of up to 8%. With proper placement in a structural system, SMAs can act as superelastic "structural fuses", absorbing large deformations, dissipating energy, and recentering the structure after a loading event. Though few applications have made it into practice, the potential for widespread use has never been better due to improvements in material behavior and reductions in cost. In this research, three different SMA-based structural applications are developed and tested. The first is a tension/compression damper that utilizes nickel-titanium (NiTi) Belleville washers. The second is a partially restrained beam-column connection utilizing NiTi bars. The third is an articulated quadrilateral bracing system utilizing NiTi wire bundles in parallel with c-shape dampers. Each system was uniquely designed to allow a structure to undergo large drift demands and dissipate energy while retaining strength and recentering ability. This exploratory work highlights the potential for SMA-based structural applications to enhance seismic structural performance and community resilience.

Les alliages à mémoire de forme (AMF) font partie des matériaux qui ont besoin d'une caractérisation de leur comportement sous sollicitations dynamiques afin de pouvoir être intégrés dans des solutions de conception de structures prévues pour l'absorption d'énergie ou pour subir de grandes déformations à des régimes de vitesses équivalents à des impacts. Même si les phénomènes mis en jeu dans ce type de matériau commencent à être maîtrisés, la caractérisation de leur comportement en dynamique est un point qui nécessite encore beaucoup d'études d'approfondissement. Leurs propriétés singulières et leur bonne capacité d'absorption d'énergie font d'eux de bons candidats à l'application dans des technologies innovantes et motivent la poursuite de leur étude. Ces travaux de thèse présentés dans ce manuscrit portent sur un AMF à base de Nickel-Titane (NiTi).Les deux propriétés singulières principales des AMF sont la superélasticité (ou pseudo-élasticité) et l'effet mémoire. La propriété sur laquelle cette étude se concentre est la superélasticité : celle-ci correspond à une transformation martensitique activée par une sollicitation mécanique.Afin de pouvoir caractériser le NiTi pour des applications soumises à des impacts ou à des sollicitations dynamiques, il est nécessaire de pouvoir, dans un premier temps, observer la transformation martensitique pour ces régimes et de tenir compte de ces résultats pour l'élaboration de lois de comportement.Ces travaux de thèse, essentiellement expérimentaux, s'inscrivent dans la mise en place d'un projet visant à pouvoir prédire le comportement des alliages à mémoire de forme soumis à des sollicitations dynamiques multiaxiales et sont centrés sur trois thèmes : les AMF, les essais de traction dynamique, la corrélation d'image pour les essais aux barres de Hopkinson et pour la mesure de la transformation martensitique des AMF. / The specific properties of the shape memory alloys are mainly due to the martensitic transformation occuring in the material turning the austenitic phase into a stress-induced martensitic phase when mechanical or thermal loadings are applied. This study focus on pseudoelasticity which allows SMAs to recover their initial state after undergoing large deformation. when a mechanical load is experienced.This study is focused on the behavior of SMAs under dynamic loading. Several experimental methods were developped : a Split Hopkinson Tensile Bar (SHTB) was set up and digital image correlation (DIC) was adapted to this case and allows us to measure heterogeneous strain fields on the surface specimen due to martensitic transformation.This work present a lot of experimental results and aim at helping researchers to develop behaviour models of SMAs for dynamic loading. The DIC was also adapted to fast imaging measure and Hopkinson bar tests, providing complementary results to the forces and velocities obtained with the bars.

NiTi-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) offer a good combination of high-strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility that has served them well and attracted the attention of many researchers and industries. The alloys unique thermo-mechanical ability to recover their initial shape after relatively large deformations by heating or upon unloading due to a characteristic reversible phase transformation makes them useful as damping devices, solid state actuators, couplings, etc. However, there is a need to increase the temperature of the characteristic phase transformation above 150 °C, especially in the aerospace industry where high temperatures are often seen. Prior researchers have shown that adding ternary elements (Pt, Pd, Au, Hf and Zr) to NiTi can increase transformation temperatures but most of these additions are extremely expensive, creating a need to produce cost-effective high temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs). Thus, the main objective of this research is to examine the relatively unstudied NiTiZr system for the ability to produce a cost effective and formable HTSMA. Transformation temperatures, precipitation paths, processability, and high-temperature oxidation are examined, specifically using high energy X-ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements, in NiTi-20 at.% Zr. This is followed by an in situ XRD study of the phase growth kinetics of the favorable H-phase nano precipitates, formed in NiTiHf and NiTiZr HTSMAs, based on prior thermo-mechanical processing in a commercial NiTi-15 at.% Hf HTSMA to examine the final processing methods and aging characteristics. Through this research, knowledge of the precipitation paths in NiTiZr and NiTiHf HTSMAs is extended and methods for characterization of phases and strains using high energy XRD are elucidated for future work in the field.