Modeling of Thermomechanical Fatigue and Damage in Shape Memory Alloy Axial Actuators Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • COPYRIGHT SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only. The aerospace, automotive, and energy industries have seen the potential benefits of using shape memory alloys (SMAs) as solid state actuators. Thus far, however, these actuators are generally limited to non-critical components or over-designed due to a lack of understanding regarding how SMAs undergo thermomechanical or actuation fatigue and the inability to accurately predict failure in an actuator during use. The purpose of this study was to characterize the actuation fatigue response of Nickel-Titanium-Hafnium (NiTiHf) axial actuators and, in turn, use this characterization to predict failure and monitor damage in dogbone actuators undergoing various thermomechanical loading paths. Calibration data was collected from constant load, full cycle tests ranging from 200-600MPa. Subsequently, actuator lifetimes were predicted for four additional loading paths. These loading paths consisted of linearly varying load with full transformation (300-500MPa) and step loads which transition from zero stress to 300-400MPa at various martensitic volume fractions. Thermal cycling was achieved via resistive heating and convective cooling and was controlled via a state machine developed in LabVIEW. A previously developed fatigue damage model, which is formulated such that the damage accumulation rate is general in terms of its dependence on current and local stress and actuation strain states, was utilized. This form allows the model to be utilized for specimens undergoing complex loading paths. Agreement between experiments and simulations is discussed.

name of conference

  • Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2015

published proceedings

  • BEHAVIOR AND MECHANICS OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS AND COMPOSITES 2015

author list (cited authors)

  • Wheeler, R. W., Hartl, D. J., Chemisky, Y., & Lagoudas, D. C.

citation count

  • 7

complete list of authors

  • Wheeler, Robert W||Hartl, Darren J||Chemisky, Yves||Lagoudas, Dimitris C

editor list (cited editors)

  • Goulbourne, N. C.

publication date

  • April 2015