Shape Memory Alloys: Modeling and Engineering Applications

This book provides a working knowledge of the modeling and engineering applications of shape memory alloys (SMAs), beginning with a rigorous introduction to continuum mechanics and continuum thermodynamics as they relate to the development of SMA modeling.Modern SMAs can recover from large amounts of bending and deformation, and millions of repetitions within recoverable ranges. SMAs are used in the medical industry to create stents, in the dental industry to create dental and orthodontic archwires, and in the aerospace industry to create fluid fittings. The text presents a unified approach to the constitutive modeling of SMAs, including modeling of magnetic and high temperature SMAs.

This book provides a working knowledge of the modeling and applications of shape memory alloys (SMAs) to practicing engineers and graduate and advanced undergraduate students with an interest in the behavior and utility of active or multifunctional materials and "smart" structures.  SMAs represent a unique material class with the ability to recover seemingly permanent deformations and provide large forces upon heating.  These interesting characteristics have led to an ever-expanding variety of engineering applications which address design problems requiring high force actuation in a confined environment.  Such applications range from morphing aerospace structures to medical stents and other biomedical devices.

Specifically, this book, which includes theory, problems and references, aims to provide readers with the following:

• Comprehensive introduction to the behavior of shape memory alloys which includes a review of SMA history, a microstructural description of the observed effects and a summary of engineering applications.
  
• Review of the experimental characterization methods used to quantitykey aspects of the thermomechanical behavior of SMAs.
  
• Introduction to continuum thermodynamics as applied to the development of thermomechanical SMA constitutive models, including methods of numerical implementation.
  
• Presentation of additional modeling options which address specialized SMA material behavior such as transformation-induced plasticity and constitutive modeling of magnetic SMAs.
  

Edited by a recognized expert leading a group with a long history of SMA research, Shape Memory Alloys: Modeling and Applications is a necessary book for students and practicing engineers interested in a thorough understanding of shape memory alloys.