Analysis of the rate-dependent coupled thermo-mechanical response of shape memory alloy bars and wires in tension

In this paper, the coupled thermo-mechanical response of shape memory alloy (SMA) bars and wires in tension is studied. By using the Gibbs free energy as the thermodynamic potential and choosing appropriate internal state variables, a three-dimensional phenomenological macroscopic constitutive model for polycrystalline SMAs is derived. Taking into account the effect of generated (absorbed) latent heat during the forward (inverse) martensitic phase transformation, the local form of the first law of thermodynamics is used to obtain the energy balance relation. The three-dimensional coupled relations for the energy balance in the presence of the internal heat flux and the constitutive equations are reduced to a one-dimensional problem. An explicit finite difference scheme is used to discretize the governing initial-boundary-value problem of bars and wires with circular cross-sections in tension. Considering several case studies for SMA wires and bars with different diameters, the effect of loading–unloading rate and different boundary conditions imposed by free and forced convections at the surface are studied. It is shown that the accuracy of assuming adiabatic or isothermal conditions in the tensile response of SMA bars strongly depends on the size and the ambient condition in addition to the rate dependency that has been known in the literature. The data of three experimental tests are used for validating the numerical results of the present formulation in predicting the stress–strain and temperature distribution for SMA bars and wires subjected to axial loading–unloading.     

Simulations of localized thermo-mechanical behavior in a NiTi shape memory alloy

Previous experiments have shown that stress-induced martensitic transformation in certain polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloys can lead to strain localization and propagation phenomena when loaded in uniaxial tension. The number of nucleation events and kinetics of transformation fronts were found to be sensitive to the nature of the ambient media and imposed loading rate due to the release/absorption of latent heat and the material's inherent temperature sensitivity of the transformation stress. A special plasticity-based constitutive model used within a 3-D finite element framework has previously been shown to capture the isothermal, purely mechanical front features seen in experiments of thin uniaxial NiTi strips. This paper extends the approach to include the thermo-mechanical coupling of the material with its environment. The simulations successfully capture the nucleation and evolution of fronts and the corresponding temperature fields seen during the experiments.     

Dynamic multi-axial behavior of shape memory alloy nanowires with coupled thermo-mechanical phase-field models

The objective of this paper is to provide new insight into the dynamic thermo-mechanical properties of shape memory alloy (SMA) nanowires subjected to multi-axial loadings. The phase-field model with Ginzburg–Landau energy, having appropriate strain based order parameter and strain gradient energy contributions, is used to study the martensitic transformations in the representative 2D square-to-rectangular phase transformations for FePd SMA nanowires. The microstructure and mechanical behavior of martensitic transformations in SMA nanostructures have been studied extensively in the literature for uniaxial loading, usually under isothermal assumptions. The developed model describes the martensitic transformations in SMAs based on the equations for momentum and energy with bi-directional coupling via strain, strain rate and temperature. These governing equations of the thermo-mechanical model are numerically solved simultaneously for different external loadings starting with the evolved twinned and austenitic phases. We observed a strong influence of multi-axial loading on dynamic thermo-mechanical properties of SMA nanowires. Notably, the multi-axial loadings are quite distinct as compared to the uniaxial loading case, and the particular axial stress level is reached at a lower strain. The SMA behaviors predicted by the model are in qualitative agreements with experimental and numerical results published in the literature. The new results reported here on the nanowire response to multi-axial loadings provide new physical insight into underlying phenomena and are important, for example, in developing better SMA-based MEMS and NEMS devices     

A macroscopic multi-mechanism based constitutive model for the thermo-mechanical cyclic degeneration of shape memory effect of NiTi shape memory alloy

A macroscopic based multi-mechanism constitutive model is constructed in the framework of irreversible thermodynamics to describe the degeneration of shape memory effect occurring in the thermo-mechanical cyclic deformation of NiTi shape memory alloys(SMAs). Three phases,austenite A, twinned martensite Mtand detwinned martensite M~d, as well as the phase transitions occurring between each pair of phases( A → M~t, M~t→ A, A → M~d,M~d→ A, and M~t→ M~d) are considered in the proposed model. Meanwhile, two kinds of inelastic deformation mechanisms, martensite transformation-induced plasticity and reorientation-induced plasticity, are used to explain the degeneration of shape memory effects of NiTi SMAs. The evolution equations of internal variables are proposed by attributing the degeneration of shape memory effect to the interaction between the three phases(A, M~t, and M~d) and plastic deformation. Finally, the capability of the proposed model is verified by comparing the predictions with the experimental results of NiTi SMAs. It is shown that the degeneration of shape memory effect and its dependence on the loading level can be reasonably described by the proposed model.     

Shakedown analysis of shape memory alloy structures

Phase transformational shakedown of a structure refers to a status that plastic strains cease developing after a finite number of loading cycles, and subsequently the structure undergoes only elastic deformation and alternating phase transformations with limited magnitudes. Due to the intrinsic complexity in the constitutive relations of shape memory alloys (SMA), there is as yet a lack of effective methods for modeling the mechanical responses of SMA structures, especially when they develop both phase transformation and plastic deformation. This paper is devoted to present an algorithm for analyzing shakedown of SMA structures subjected to cyclic or varying loads within specified domains. Based on the phase transformation and plastic yield criteria of von Mises-type and their associated flow rules, a simplified three-dimensional phenomenological constitutive model is first formulated accounting for different regimes of elastic–plastic deformation and phase transformation. Different responses possible for SMA bodies exposed to varying loads are discussed. The classical Melan shakedown theorem is extended to determine a lower bound of loads for transformational shakedown of SMA bodies without necessity of a step-by-step analysis along the loading history. Finally, a simple example is given to illustrate the application of the present theory as well as some basic features of shakedown of SMA structures. It is interesting to find that phase transformation may either increase or decrease the load-bearing capacity of a structure, depending upon its constitutive relations, geometries and the loading mode.     

On non-monotonic rate dependence of stress hysteresis of superelastic shape memory alloy bars

This paper presents a simple thermo-mechanical model to explain and quantify the observed strain-rate dependence of the stress hysteresis of shape memory alloys (SMAs) bars/strips during stress-induced forward/reverse phase transition with latent heat release/absorption. By solving the convective heat transfer equation and employing the temperature dependence of the SMA’s transformation stresses, we are able to prove that the stress hysteresis depends non-monotonically on the applied strain rate with a peak appearing at an intermediate strain rate. We further showed that such a non-monotonic rate dependence is governed by the competition of phase-transition time (or latent-heat release/absorption time) and the time of heat exchange with the environment, and that the hysteresis peak is achieved when the two time scales become comparable. A bell-shaped scaling law of the rate dependence is derived, agreeing quantitatively well with the results of experiments.     

Micro–macro analysis of shape memory alloy composites

The aim of the paper is to develop a micro–macro approach for the analysis of the mechanical behavior of composites obtained embedding long fibers of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) into an elastic matrix. In order to determine the overall constitutive response of the SMA composites, two homogenization techniques are proposed: one is based on the self-consistent method while the other on the analysis of a periodic composite. The overall response of the SMA composites is strongly influenced by the pseudo-elastic and shape memory effects occurring in the SMA material. In particular, it is assumed that the phase transformations in the SMA are governed by the wire temperature and by the average stress tensor acting in the fiber. A possible prestrain of the fibers is taken into account in the model.Numerical applications are developed in order to analyze the thermo-mechanical behavior of the SMA composite. The results obtained by the proposed procedures are compared with the ones determined through a micromechanical analysis of a periodic composite performed using suitable finite elements.Then, in order to study the macromechanical response of structural elements made of SMA composites, a three-dimensional finite element is developed implementing at each Gauss point the overall constitutive laws of the SMA composite obtained by the proposed homogenization procedures. Some numerical applications are developed in order to assess the efficiency of the proposed micro–macro model.     

Free-edge stresses and progressive cracking in surface coatings of circular torsion bars

This paper considers the explicit solutions of free-edge stresses near circumferential cracks in surface coatings of circular torsion bars and their application in determining the progressive cracking density in the coating layers. The problem was formulated within the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The free-edge stresses near crack tip and the shear stresses in the cross-section of the torsion bar were approached in explicit forms based on the variational principle of complementary strain energy. Criterion for progressive cracking in the coating layer was established in sense of strain energy conservation, and the crack density is thereby estimated. Effects of external torque, aspect ratio, and elastic properties on the density of progressive cracking were examined numerically. The present study shows that, in the sense of inducing a given crack density, compliant coating layer with lower modulus has much higher critical torque than that of a stiffer one with the same geometries and substrate material, i.e., compliant coating layer has greater cracking tolerance. Meanwhile, the study also indicates that thicker surface coating layer is more pliant to cracking than the thinner ones. The present model can be used for analyzing the damage mechanism and cracking tolerance of surface coatings of torsion shafts and for data reduction of torsional fracture test of brittle surface coatings, etc.     

Modeling size-dependent thermo-mechanical behaviors of shape memory polymer Bernoulli-Euler microbeam

The objective of this paper is to model the size-dependent thermo-mechanical behaviors of a shape memory polymer(SMP) microbeam. Size-dependent constitutive equations, which can capture the size effect of the SMP, are proposed based on the modified couple stress theory(MCST). The deformation energy expression of the SMP microbeam is obtained by employing the proposed size-dependent constitutive equation and Bernoulli-Euler beam theory. An SMP microbeam model, which includes the formulations of deflection, strain, curvature, stress and couple stress, is developed by using the principle of minimum potential energy and the separation of variables together. The sizedependent thermo-mechanical and shape memory behaviors of the SMP microbeam and the influence of the Poisson ratio are numerically investigated according to the developed SMP microbeam model. Results show that the size effects of the SMP microbeam are significant when the dimensionless height is small enough. However, they are too slight to be necessarily considered when the dimensionless height is large enough. The bending flexibility and stress level of the SMP microbeam rise with the increasing dimensionless height, while the couple stress level declines with the increasing dimensionless height.The larger the dimensionless height is, the more obvious the viscous property and shape memory effect of the SMP microbeam are. The Poisson ratio has obvious influence on the size-dependent behaviors of the SMP microbeam. The paper provides a theoretical basis and a quantitatively analyzing tool for the design and analysis of SMP micro-structures in the field of biological medicine, microelectronic devices and micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS) self-assembling.     

Finite deformation thermo-mechanical behavior of thermally induced shape memory polymers

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are polymers that can demonstrate programmable shape memory effects. Typically, an SMP is pre-deformed from an initial shape to a deformed shape by applying a mechanical load at the temperature T_H>T_g. It will maintain this deformed shape after subsequently lowering the temperature to T_L<T_g and removing the externally mechanical load. The shape memory effect is activated by increasing the temperature to T_D>T_g, where the initial shape is recovered. In this paper, the finite deformation thermo-mechanical behaviors of amorphous SMPs are experimentally investigated. Based on the experimental observations and an understanding of the underlying physical mechanism of the shape memory behavior, a three-dimensional (3D) constitutive model is developed to describe the finite deformation thermo-mechanical response of SMPs. The model in this paper has been implemented into an ABAQUS user material subroutine (UMAT) for finite element analysis, and numerical simulations of the thermo-mechanical experiments verify the efficiency of the model. This model will serve as a modeling tool for the design of more complicated SMP-based structures and devices.     

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

The two-way shape memory effect in monolithic shape memory alloys has been widely investigated both theoretically and experimentally. In the present study, this effect is analyzed for shape memory alloy composites by employing a micromechanical model. To this end, the responses of polymeric matrix and metal matrix unidirectional composites with embedded shape memory alloy fibers are determined. For the polymeric matrix composite, the effect of axial, transverse and shear loadings as well as the fiber volume fraction on the resulting two-way shape memory behavior are studied. The local distributions of stresses among the shape memory alloy fiber and epoxy matrix in the low- and high-temperature shapes of the composite are also investigated. Two training procedures that generate the two-way shape memory effect in the metal matrix composite are offered. The present analysis shows that the two-way shape memory effect in the chosen type of metal matrix composite is not as useful as in the polymeric matrix one. Finally, for a polymeric matrix composite that is subjected to a transverse normal loading, the effect of imperfect bonding between the shape memory alloy fibers and the neighboring matrix is investigated.     

Analysis of an infinite shape memory alloy plate with a circular hole subjected to biaxial tension

This paper presents an exact solution for the stresses in an infinite shape memory alloy plate with a circular hole subjected to biaxial tensile stresses applied at infinity. The solution obtained by assumption of plane stress is based on the two-dimensional version of the Tanaka constitutive law for shape memory materials. The plate is in the austenitic phase, prior to the application of external stresses. However, as a result of tensile loading, stress-induced martensite forms, beginning from the boundary of the hole and extending into the interior, as the load continues to increase. Therefore, in a general case, the plate consists of three annular regions: the inner region of pure martensite, the intermediate region where martensite and austenite coexist, and the outer region of pure austenite. The boundaries between these annular regions can be found as functions of the external stress. Two methods of solution are presented. The first is a closed-form approach based on a replacement of the actual distribution of the martensitic fraction by a piece-wise constant function of the radial coordinate. The second method results in an exact solution obtained by assuming that the ratio between the radial and circumferential stresses in the region where austenite and martensite coexist is governed by the same relationship as that in the encompassing regions of pure austenite and pure martensite.     

Phase transitions in the shape memory alloy CuAlNi

Shape memory alloys exhibit a complex load-deformation temperature behaviour. In CuAlNi different maximal recoverable deformations may be observed in tensile experiments. We have found five phases and their corresponding phase transitions, two of them are reversible and the others exhibit hysteresis. We use a thermodynamic theory to calculate the energy landscape that describes the behaviour of the CuAlNi specimen.Received: 8 March 2004, Accepted: 9 March 2004, Published online: 12 May 2004 Correspondence to: A. Musolff     

Almost compatible X-microstructures in CuAlNi shape memory alloy

A systematic study of a specific martensitic microstructure, called the X-microstructure, is carried out with the focus on the CuAlNi shape memory alloy undergoing the cubic-to-orthorhombic transformation. The set of all crystallographically distinct candidate X-microstructures is determined, and it is shown that, according to the crystallographic theory of martensite, none of them is compatible. Almost compatible X-microstructures, which involve elastic strains, are thus examined. These microstructures are searched in the neighborhood of all candidate X-microstructures by minimizing the total elastic strain energy with respect to the microstructure parameters. Several low-energy X-microstructures are found, and it is shown that the total elastic strain energy correlates reasonably well with one of the indicators which characterize incompatibility of the corresponding candidate X-microstructure.     

A semi-analytic analysis of shape memory alloy thick-walled cylinders under internal pressure

In this paper, a new method for analysis of the pseudoelastic response of shape memory alloy thick-walled cylinders subjected to internal pressure is proposed. Two cases of short and long cylinders are considered by assuming the plane stress and plane strain conditions. In each case, a three-dimensional phenomenological SMA constitutive model is simplified to obtain the corresponding two-dimensional constitutive relations. The cylinder is partitioned into a finite number of narrow annular regions, and appropriate assumptions are made in order to find a closed-form solution for the equilibrium equations in each annular region. The global solution is obtained by enforcing the stress continuity condition at the interface of the annular regions and imposing the boundary conditions. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method, and the results are compared with three-dimensional finite element simulations.     

Optimization of elastic bars in torsion

The paper considers the problem of optimization of mechanical systems described by partial differential equations. The shape of the region of integration of these equations is not specified beforehand but is to determined from the condition that a certain integral functional attains an extremal value. The mathematical optimization problem is reduced to a variational one having no differential constraints and the necessary optimality conditions are derived. The latter are used for seeking the cross-sectional shape of elastic bars of maximum torsional rigidity. Exact and approximate analytical solutions are given and the effectiveness of the optimal solutions is estimated.     

Stress bounds for bars in torsion

Upper bounds for the maximum shear stress in the St. Venant torsion problem are derived with the aid of the theory of subharmonic functions. The main result is a bound that is determined in a simple manner by the magnitude of the applied twisting moment and two parameters peculiar to the cross section: the radius of the largest circle contained in it and the minimum curvature of the curve that bounds it.

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Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe subharmonischer Funktionen werden obere Grenzen in dem Torsionsproblem von St. Venant erhalten. Das Hauptergebnis ist eine Grenze, die auf einfache Weise vom Drehmoment und zwei nur vom Querschnitt abhängigen Parametern bestimmt ist, und zwar von dem Radius des grössten eingeschriebenen Kreises und von der Minimalkrümmung der Begrenzungskurve des Querschnitts.