In this study, four different NiTi-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) compositions were processed, shape-set, and characterized to evaluate their effectiveness as SMA actuation component for satellite antennas. Three of the compositions were commercially available NiTi wires (90°C Flexinol® actuator NiTi wire and Confluent ADB SE508 NiTi wire), NiTi SM495 plates (ATI Specialty Alloys and Components) and the other composition was in house lab-produced NiTiCu plate. Different shape-setting techniques were performed such as pin and plate, fixtures and dies, and finally a sandwich fixture. The two most promising outcomes were the SE NiTi 508 wire and the NiTiCu plate. A SE NiTi 508 wire was first heat-treated at 550 °C for 3 hours and then it was shape-set at 450 °C for 30 min using a Cu tube which was previously deformed to the desired deployment curvature and fixed on a steel rig. The wire was kept inside the Cu tube during the shape-setting process to obtain the desired curvature. After shape-setting, the wire was thermally cycled multiple times. The results showed that the SE NiTi 508 wire was able to retain its deployment shape successfully after each thermal cycle. Furthermore, a NiTiCu plate was sandwiched between two steel sheets which were shaped into the desired full-deployment shape beforehand. The NiTiCu plate was shape-set at 450 °C for 30 min and then thermally cycled multiple times to test its effectiveness. The NiTiCu plate retained its full-deployment shape successfully after every thermal cycle.

PhD thesis focuses the field of textile application of modern functional materials, namely metallic shape memory alloys with unique thermomechanical properties deriving from martensitic transformation in solid state. Particularly, it deals with the development of a nonconventional thermomechanical treatment of thin NiTi filaments via Joule heating by electric current and related basic research involving thermomechanical testing and modeling of functional properties of the filaments, investigation of martensitic transformations and deformation processes in NiTi and investigation of the fast recovery and recrystallization processes in metals heated by short pulses of controlled electric power. The method was developed and called FTMT-EC. In contrast to conventional heat treatment of metallic filaments in environmental furnaces, this method allows for precise control of the raise of the filament temperature and filament stress during the fast heating (rate ~50 000 °C/s). As a consequence, it is possible to precisely control the progress of the fast recovery and recrystallization processes in heat treated filaments. In this way it is possible to prepare filaments with desired nanostructured microstructure and related functional properties. A prototype equipment for application of the method for heat treatment of continuous SMA filaments during respooling in textile processing was designed and built. Comparing to the conventional heat treatment of SMA filaments in tubular environmental furnaces, this approach is faster, saves energy and allows for preparation of filaments with special functional properties. International patent application was filed on the method. It is currently utilized in the research and development of smart textiles for medical applications.

PhD thesis focuses the field of textile application of modern functional materials, namely metallic shape memory alloys with unique thermomechanical properties deriving from martensitic transformation in solid state. Particularly, it deals with the development of a nonconventional thermomechanical treatment of thin NiTi filaments via Joule heating by electric current and related basic research involving thermomechanical testing and modeling of functional properties of the filaments, investigation of martensitic transformations and deformation processes in NiTi and investigation of the fast recovery and recrystallization processes in metals heated by short pulses of controlled electric power. The method was developed and called FTMT-EC. In contrast to conventional heat treatment of metallic filaments in environmental furnaces, this method allows for precise control of the raise of the filament temperature and filament stress during the fast heating (rate ~50 000 °C/s). As a consequence, it is possible to precisely control the progress of the fast recovery and recrystallization processes in heat treated filaments. In this way it is possible to prepare filaments with desired nanostructured microstructure and related functional properties. A prototype equipment for application of the method for heat treatment of continuous SMA filaments during respooling in textile processing was designed and built. Comparing to the conventional heat treatment of SMA filaments in tubular environmental furnaces, this approach is faster, saves energy and allows for preparation of filaments with special functional properties. International patent application was filed on the method. It is currently utilized in the research and development of smart textiles for medical applications.