Shape memory alloys (SMA) offer several advantages over traditional electro-mechanical devices, including: smooth, silent, clean operation; linear actuation; high power/weight ratio; scalability; and reduced part counts. These unique characteristics make them an attractive option when developing actuators, particularly at the meso- and micro-scales. However, SMAs do not typically display cyclic actuation and, therefore, require some reset force or bias mechanism in order to achieve this behaviour. Additionally, the micro-assembly of SMA material with a reset mechanism becomes increasingly difficult as the dimensions of actuators are scaled down. Therefore, actuators have been developed in which the actuation and reset mechanism are fabricated from a single piece of material. These actuators are referred to as monolithic actuators. Monolithic actuators are fabricated from a single piece of SMA material in which local annealing is used to selectively impart the shape memory effect (SME), while the remainder of the material acts as the bias mechanism. This work proposes an extension to monolithic actuators that locally varies the material composition of the monolithic component to exhibit different mechanical properties in select regions. This eliminates the need for local annealing by introducing regions of material unaffected by the annealing process. Additionally, incorporating regions of superelastic material to act as the bias mechanism greatly increases the actuator’s range of motion. These actuators are referred to as hybrid monolithic actuators. The creation of hybrid monolithic SMA actuators requires the development of both a fabrication technique and design tool. Varying the composition locally is accomplished by utilizing powder metallurgy fabrication techniques, specifically tape casting. Tapes of different compositions are cut, stacked, and sintered resulting in a monolithic component with mechanical properties that vary spatially. Tape casting NiTi from elemental powders is studied in this work, and tape recipes and sintering profiles are developed. In order to model the SMA behaviour of complex geometries, a finite element implementation of an existing lumped-element SMA model is developed. This model is used to design and simulate a prototype hybrid monolithic actuator. The prototype is fabricated and its performance used to illustrate the advantages of hybrid design over typical monolithic actuators.

Shape memory alloys (SMA) offer several advantages over traditional electro-mechanical devices, including: smooth, silent, clean operation; linear actuation; high power/weight ratio; scalability; and reduced part counts. These unique characteristics make them an attractive option when developing actuators, particularly at the meso- and micro-scales. However, SMAs do not typically display cyclic actuation and, therefore, require some reset force or bias mechanism in order to achieve this behaviour. Additionally, the micro-assembly of SMA material with a reset mechanism becomes increasingly difficult as the dimensions of actuators are scaled down. Therefore, actuators have been developed in which the actuation and reset mechanism are fabricated from a single piece of material. These actuators are referred to as monolithic actuators. Monolithic actuators are fabricated from a single piece of SMA material in which local annealing is used to selectively impart the shape memory effect (SME), while the remainder of the material acts as the bias mechanism. This work proposes an extension to monolithic actuators that locally varies the material composition of the monolithic component to exhibit different mechanical properties in select regions. This eliminates the need for local annealing by introducing regions of material unaffected by the annealing process. Additionally, incorporating regions of superelastic material to act as the bias mechanism greatly increases the actuator’s range of motion. These actuators are referred to as hybrid monolithic actuators. The creation of hybrid monolithic SMA actuators requires the development of both a fabrication technique and design tool. Varying the composition locally is accomplished by utilizing powder metallurgy fabrication techniques, specifically tape casting. Tapes of different compositions are cut, stacked, and sintered resulting in a monolithic component with mechanical properties that vary spatially. Tape casting NiTi from elemental powders is studied in this work, and tape recipes and sintering profiles are developed. In order to model the SMA behaviour of complex geometries, a finite element implementation of an existing lumped-element SMA model is developed. This model is used to design and simulate a prototype hybrid monolithic actuator. The prototype is fabricated and its performance used to illustrate the advantages of hybrid design over typical monolithic actuators.

The exciting thermomechanical properties of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys have sparked significant research efforts seeking to exploit their exotic capabilities. Until recently, the performance capabilities of nickel-titanium devices have been inhibited by the retention of only one thermomechanical characteristic. However, laser processing technology promises to deliver enhanced material offerings which are capable of multiple functional responses. Presented in this thesis, is an investigation of the effects of laser processing on the thermomechanical behaviour of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys. In the context of this work, laser processing refers to removal of alloy constituents, as in the case of laser ablation, or alternatively, addition of elements through laser alloying. The effects of laser ablation on the composition, crystallography and phase transformation temperatures of a nickel-titanium strip have been studied. Application of laser energy was shown to ablate nickel constituents, induce an austenite-martensite phase change and cause an increase in phase transformation onset temperatures, which correlated well with reported findings. Laser processing of a nickel-titanium wire was shown to locally embed an additional thermomechanical response which manifested as unique shape memory and pseudoelastic properties. Localized alloying of ternary species via laser processing of nickel-titanium strip was investigated. Synthesis of a ternary shape memory intermetallic within the laser processing region was achieved through melting of copper foils. Results from thermoanalytical testing indicated that the ternary compound possessed a higher phase transformation temperature and reduced transformation hysteresis in comparison to the reference alloy. Indentation testing was used to demonstrate the augmented thermomechanical characteristics of the laser processed shape memory alloy. In order to demonstrate the enhanced functionality of laser processed nickel-titanium shape memory alloys, a self-positioning nickel-titanium microgripper was fabricated. The microgripper was designed to actuate through four different positions, corresponding to activation of three embedded shape memory characteristics. Thermoanalytical and tensile testing instrumentations were used to characterize the thermomechanical performance of the laser processed nickel-titanium microgripper. Results indicated that each of the laser processed microgripper components possessed unique mechanical and shape memory recovery properties.

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.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are unique metallic alloys which can undergo large deformations while reverting back to their undeformed shape through either the application of heat (shape memory effect) or the removal of the load (superelastic effect). A multi-scale and multi-disciplinary approach is taken to explore the use of large diameter NiTi SMAs for applications in earthquake engineering. First, a materials characterization study is performed by studying precipitate formation, grain size and orientation, thermal transformation behavior, and strength. Cyclic tensile tests on coupon specimens and full-scale large diameter bars are then used to correlate the microstructural properties to the macroscopic behavior. Further experimental studies using NiTi wire are performed in order to optimize their properties for seismic applications. The ability of mechanical training to stabilize NiTi cyclic properties, the ability of pre-straining to increase damping levels, and the influence of different types of earthquake loadings are considered. Phenomenological mechanical models are then developed based on these results. An analytical study is then used to evaluate the performance of structural systems incorporating SMAs. One type of system evaluated includes an SMA bracing system used to modify the response of a structure during a seismic event. Overall, the results of this study have shown the ability to optimize the properties of NiTi SMAs for seismic applications through material processing. The analytical results show potential for the use of SMAs in seismic applications and provide areas for continued research.

The exciting thermomechanical properties of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys have sparked significant research efforts seeking to exploit their exotic capabilities. Until recently, the performance capabilities of nickel-titanium devices have been inhibited by the retention of only one thermomechanical characteristic. However, laser processing technology promises to deliver enhanced material offerings which are capable of multiple functional responses. Presented in this thesis, is an investigation of the effects of laser processing on the thermomechanical behaviour of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys. In the context of this work, laser processing refers to removal of alloy constituents, as in the case of laser ablation, or alternatively, addition of elements through laser alloying. The effects of laser ablation on the composition, crystallography and phase transformation temperatures of a nickel-titanium strip have been studied. Application of laser energy was shown to ablate nickel constituents, induce an austenite-martensite phase change and cause an increase in phase transformation onset temperatures, which correlated well with reported findings. Laser processing of a nickel-titanium wire was shown to locally embed an additional thermomechanical response which manifested as unique shape memory and pseudoelastic properties. Localized alloying of ternary species via laser processing of nickel-titanium strip was investigated. Synthesis of a ternary shape memory intermetallic within the laser processing region was achieved through melting of copper foils. Results from thermoanalytical testing indicated that the ternary compound possessed a higher phase transformation temperature and reduced transformation hysteresis in comparison to the reference alloy. Indentation testing was used to demonstrate the augmented thermomechanical characteristics of the laser processed shape memory alloy. In order to demonstrate the enhanced functionality of laser processed nickel-titanium shape memory alloys, a self-positioning nickel-titanium microgripper was fabricated. The microgripper was designed to actuate through four different positions, corresponding to activation of three embedded shape memory characteristics. Thermoanalytical and tensile testing instrumentations were used to characterize the thermomechanical performance of the laser processed nickel-titanium microgripper. Results indicated that each of the laser processed microgripper components possessed unique mechanical and shape memory recovery properties.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-03-14T21:54:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 NATHÁLIA CRISTINA MORAIS LIA FOOK - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 2182368 bytes, checksum: 5948d7190b44ee52e0cbfdbf788ee8dd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-14T21:54:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 NATHÁLIA CRISTINA MORAIS LIA FOOK - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 2182368 bytes, checksum: 5948d7190b44ee52e0cbfdbf788ee8dd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-10-05 / Capes / As ligas de Ni-Ti têm possibilitado uma melhoria em muitos projetos tradicionais de engenharia e das áreas médicas e ortodônticas, com suas propriedades únicas de superelasticidade e efeito de memória de forma. Nas últimas décadas, as pesquisas e análises para aplicações destas ligas se tornaram cada vez mais específicas, para estudos sobre micro e nano atuadores visando aplicações em dispositivos médicos e ortodônticos e em microssistemas eletromecânicos. Assim, os processos de soldagem se tornaram importantes aliados, promovendo a união entre atuadores de liga de memória de forma (LMF) com semelhantes e dissemelhantes, uma forma de aumentar as aplicações úteis de materiais disponíveis, principalmente como biomateriais. Nesse contexto, este estudo teve como objetivo geral a avaliação da resistência à corrosão em uma região de solda obtida por microssoldagem TIG autógena em fios de Ni-Ti superelásticos com fios de Ni-Ti termoativados em solução que simula a saliva humana. Os fios soldados também passaram por um tratamento térmico feito com base em um planejamento fatorial 3². A caracterização dos fios íntegros e soldados (com e sem tratamento térmico) foi realizada utilizando ensaios de calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e também quanto à resistência à corrosão. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que o processo de soldagem TIG utilizado neste trabalho gerou juntas soldadas de excelente qualidade, apresentando uma boa resistência à corrosão no eletrólito que simula a saliva humana. O planejamento experimental utilizado para verificar a influência da temperatura e do tempo do tratamento térmico nos resultados de corrosão gerou um experimento ótimo com temperatura de 350°C e um tempo no intervalo de 20 a 40 minutos. Estes resultados foram confirmados através dos ensaios de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica. / The Ni-Ti alloys have enabled the improvement in many projects from the traditional engineering and from the medical and orthodontic areas with their unique properties of superelasticity and shape memory effect. In recent decades, researches and analysis for applying these alloys have become increasingly more specific, tending to studies on micro and nano actuators targeting applications in medical and orthodontic devices and in electromechanical microsystems. Thus, the welding processes have become important allies by promoting the union between shape memory alloy actuators (SMA) with similar and dissimilar ones, which is one way of increasing the useful applications of available materials, especially biomaterials. In this context, this study aimed at analyzing the corrosion resistance in the weld region obtained by autogenous TIG micro welding in Ni-Ti superelastic wires with thermo-active Ni-Ti wires in a solution that simulates human saliva. The welded wires also Soldiers wires also undergone heat treatment made based on a factorial design 3. The characterization of the original and welded wires (with and without heat treatment) was performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests and also regarding its resistance to corrosion. The results revealed that the TIG welding process used in this work generated welds of excellent quality, showing a good resistance to corrosion in the electrolyte that simulates human saliva. The experimental design used to investigate the influence of temperature and time of heat treatment in corrosion results generated a great experiment with temperature of 350 °C and time in the range of 20 to 40 minutes. These results were confirmed by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests.

Abstract Early motion is crucial for tendon healing and functional results after flexor tendon repair in the fingers. Motion, however, causes stress in the repair site, which can result in failure of the repair. A flexor tendon repair is made with fine calibre sutures, which sets exceptional requirements for the suture materials used in flexor tendon repair. Nitinol (nickel-titanium alloy) is a shape memory alloy, which can exist in two temperature-dependent forms, soft martensite and stiff austenite. It is possible to fabricate a nitinol wire that is soft and pliable, yet has high tensile strength. It also has excellent biocompatibility. Therefore, it is a potential candidate flexor tendon repair suture material. This study evaluates biomechanical aspects of martensite nitinol wire as a flexor tendon repair suture material. The study hypothesis was that nitinol wire improves the strength of the repairs compared with the repairs made with conventional suture materials. It was found that nitinol core repairs and circumferential repairs performed significantly better when compared with repairs made with commonly used braided polyester and polypropylene of equal calibre. To further optimise the performance of the nitinol wire in tendon surgery, two experimental models were developed to study the suture-tendon interface. The aim was to prevent pull-out of the suture loop so that surgeons could have full advantage of the tensile strength of the nitinol suture. First, it was tested whether it is possible to improve the suture’s ability to grip the tendon tissue by changing the suture type from monofilament to multifilament. Multifilament suture loops reached higher pull-out strength when compared with round monofilament loops when a locking loop was used. Subsequently, the grip of four different previously reported core repair loops was tested. Based on their failure mechanism, two novel loops were developed. The novel loops demonstrated superior ability to grip the tendon. The novel loops can be useful with high tensile strength suture materials and in repairs, which are prone to suture pull-out. / Tiivistelmä Varhainen korjauksen jälkeinen aktiivinen kuntoutus on osoittautunut hyödylliseksi jänteen paranemiselle. Varhainen liike altistaa korjauksen kuormitukselle, joka voi johtaa korjauksen pettämiseen. Korjaukset tehdään ohuilla langoilla. Tämä asettaa erityisiä vaatimuksia jännekorjauksessa käytettävälle ommelainemateriaalille. Nikkeli-titaani (nitinoli) on nk. muistimetalli. Sillä on kaksi lämpötilariippuvaista muotoa: pehmeä martensiitti ja jäykkä austeniitti. Nitinolista voidaan valmistaa ohutta pehmeää ja taipuisaa lankaa, jonka vetolujuus on suuri. Nitinolin siedettävyys jännekudoksessa on todettu hyväksi, minkä vuoksi se on lupaava materiaali käytettäväksi jännekorjauksissa. Tässä tutkimuksessa kokeiltiin martensiittisen nitinolilangan käyttöä jänteen ydinompeleena ja pintaompeleena. Olettamuksena oli, että nitinolilangalla saadaan kestävämpiä korjauksia kuin nykyään käytössä olevilla langoilla. Tulosten mukaan nitinolilangalla tehdyt korjaukset olivat kestävämpiä, kun niitä verrattiin saman paksuiseen punottuun polyesteriin ja polypropyleeniin. Lisäksi kehitimme kaksi mallia, joiden tarkoituksena oli parantaa nitinolilankasilmukan pitoa jännekudoksesta. Tarkoituksena oli löytää keinoja, joilla langan otetta jännekudoksesta voidaan parantaa ja langan hyvät vetolujuusominaisuudet pääsevät oikeuksiinsa. Ensin muutimme langan muotoa perinteisestä yksisäikeisestä pyöreästä monisäikeiseen muotoon. Monisäikeisen langan läpileikkausvoima oli huomattavasti suurempi kuin yksisäikeisen pyöreän langan. Ero oli havaittavissa vain, kun käytettiin lukitsevaa silmukkaa. Tämän jälkeen testasimme neljän perinteisesti käytetyn korjaustekniikan silmukan pitokykyä ja tulosten perusteella kehitimme kaksi uutta silmukkaa. Työssä kehitetyt silmukat pitivät kiinni jänteestä huomattavasti paremmin kuin perinteiset silmukat. Työssä kehitetyillä silmukoilla voidaan optimoida vahvojen ommelainemateriaalien suorituskyky jännekirurgiassa.

Hintergrund: Diese Studie wurde initiiert, um die langfristige Wertigkeit der Implantation von selbstexpandierenden Nitinol-Stents in der Arteria femoralis superficialis zu untersuchen. Die Effektivität wurde anhand von Primärerfolg, Offenheitsraten und klinischem Erfolg überprüft. Komplikationsraten und unerwünschte Folgeereignisse definierten die Sicherheit dieser interventionellen Therapiemethode. Methoden: Retrospektiv wurden 278 Zielextremitäten von 263 Patienten über durchschnittlich 4,7 ± 1,9 Jahre hinweg beobachtet. Die Daten wurden aus internen Krankenakten sowie externen Befunden gewonnen. Gruppenvergleiche wurden mit t-Test, Fisher-Exact-Test und multivariater logistischer Regression durchgeführt. Überlebenszeitanalysen wurden mit der Kaplan-Meier-Methode berechnet. Univariate Risikofaktoren wurden mit dem Log-Rank-Test bestimmt und anschließend in das multivariate Cox-Model eingeschlossen. Ergebnisse: Das Durchschnittsalter der Patienten betrug 67,2 ± 9,5 Jahre, 74,1 % waren männlich, 21,2 % litten an einer kritischen Extremitätenischämie. Die mittlere Läsionslänge maß 11,5 ± 7,9 cm. Es handelte sich in 21,1 % um Restenosen und in 31,6 % um TASC-II-C/D-Läsionen. Der primäre technische Erfolg der Stentimplantation belief sich auf 96,8 %. Nach ein, drei und fünf Jahren lagen die primären Offenheitsraten bei 77 %, 56 % und 46 %, die sekundären Offenheitsraten bei 98 %, 94 % und 89 % sowie die Majoramputations-raten bei 0,4 %, 1,4 % und 4,2 %. Das Rutherford-Stadium ist von 3 ± 0,9 auf 1,8 ± 1,8 gesunken. Ein Todesfall war Folge eines Stentverschlusses. Signifikante Risikofaktoren für verkürzte Stentoffenheiten waren lange Gefäßläsionen, TASC-II-C/D-Läsionen sowie Luminexx®-Stents. Diabetes mellitus, Adipositas und kritische Extremitätenischämie waren mit erhöhten Amputationsraten assoziiert. Fazit: Hohe technische Erfolgsraten, relativ niedrige Komplikationsraten, befriedigende kurz- und mittelfristige Offenheitsraten sowie zufriedenstellender klinischer Erfolg zeichnen die Stentimplantationen in der Arteria femoralis superficialis aus. Langfristig stellen die Entstehung von In-Stent-Restenosen und damit verbundene Folgen jedoch ein Problem dar. Allerdings ist die Einführung von medikamenten-freisetzenden Ballons zur Sekundärbehandlung in dieser Hinsicht erfolgversprechend.

This study examines the use of embedded shape memory alloy (SMA)actuators for adaptive control of the themomechanical response of composite structures. Control of static and dynamic responses are demonstrated including thermal buckling, thermal post-buckling, vibration, sonic fatigue, and acoustic transmission. A thermomechanical model is presented for analyzing such shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) structures exposed to thermal and mechanical loads. Also presented are (1) fabrication procedures for SMAHC specimens, (2) characterization of the constituent materials for model quantification, (3) development of the test apparatus for conducting static and dynamic experiments on specimens with and without SMA, (4) discussion of the experimental results, and (5) validation of the analytical and numerical tools developed in the study. The constitutive model developed to describe the mechanics of a SMAHC lamina captures the material nonlinearity with temperature of the SMA and matrix material if necessary. It is in a form that is amenable to commercial finite element (FE) code implementation. The model is valid for constrained, restrained, or free recovery configurations with appropriate measurements of fundamental engineering properties. This constitutive model is used along with classical lamination theory and the FE method to formulate the equations of motion for panel-type structures subjected to steady-state thermal and dynamic mechanical loads. Mechanical loads that are considered include acoustic pressure, inertial (base acceleration), and concentrated forces. Four solution types are developed from the governing equations including thermal buckling, thermal post-buckling, dynamic response, and acoustic transmission/radiation. These solution procedures are compared with closed-form and/or other known solutions to benchmark the numerical tools developed in this study. Practical solutions for overcoming fabrication issues and obtaining repeatable specimens are demonstrated. Results from characterization of the SMA constituent are highlighted with regard to their impact on thermomechanical modeling. Results from static and dynamic tests on a SMAHC beam specimen are presented, which demonstrate the enormous control authority of the SMA actuators. Excellent agreement is achieved between the predicted and measured responses including thermal buckling, thermal post-buckling, and dynamic response due to inertial loading. The validated model and thermomechanical analysis tools are used to demonstrate a variety of static and dynamic response behaviors associated with SMAHC structures. Topics of discussion include the fundamental mechanics of SMAHC structures, control of static (thermal buckling and post-buckling) and dynamic responses (vibration, sonic fatigue, and acoustic transmission), and SMAHC design considerations for these applications. The dynamic response performance of a SMAHC panel specimen is compared to conventional response abatement approaches. SMAHCs are shown to have significant advantages for vibration, sonic fatigue, and noise control. / Ph. D.