A two-level micromechanical theory for a shape-memory alloy reinforced composite

A two-level micromechanical theory is developed to study the influence of the shape and volume concentration of shape-memory alloy (SMA) inclusions on the overall stress–strain behavior of a SMA-reinforced composite. The first level exists on the smaller SMA level, in which, under the action of stress, parent austenite may transform into martensite. The second level is on the larger scale consisting of the metastable SMA inclusions and an inactive polymer matrix. The evolution of martensite microstructure is evaluated from the irreversible thermodynamics, in conjunction with the micromechanics and physics of martensitic transformation. By taking martensite to exist in the form of thin plates on the micro scale and assuming SMA inclusions to be homogeneously aligned spheroids on the macro scale, the overall stress–strain behaviors of a NiTi-reinforced composite are calculated for various SMA shapes and concentrations. The results indicate that, under a tensile axial loading, martensitic transformation is easier to take place when SMA inclusions exist in the form of long fibers, but most difficult to occur when they are in the form of flat discs. In general the levels of the applied stress at which martensite transformation commences, finishes, and austenitic transformation starts, and finishes, are found to decrease with increasing aspect ratio of the SMA inclusions while the damping capacity increases with it; these properties point to the advantage of using fibrous composites for actuators or sensors under a tensile loading.