Return to News List

What is the principle of shape memory alloy?

志联

2025-04-23

What is the principle of shape memory alloy?

  Shape memory alloy principle: It is generally believed that shape recovery in shape memory alloys occurs when the complex rhombohedral crystal structure transforms into a simple cubic crystal structure. When the shape memory alloy recovers its original shape, it generates a very large force, as high as 60 kg/mm² for NiTinols, far exceeding the force initially applied to cause deformation. Generally speaking, this force can reach ten times the original deformation force, meaning that the output energy is much greater than the input energy. Scientists cannot explain this phenomenon. Physicist Roshall said: "There is nothing wrong with the laws of thermodynamics, but these laws simply do not apply to NiTinol-titanium." Currently, many scholars believe that the ability of shape memory alloys to recover their original shape is due to the effect of a "memory factor." This "memory factor" is derived through the study of free energy and volume relationships during phase transformation.