Shape Memory Alloy and its Forming Process
Shape memory alloy (SMA) is a kind of metal alloy with super elasticity and shape memory effect, which has good mechanical and physical properties. The shape memory effect of SMA is one of its main characteristics. It can recover its original shape after deformation, so it can be used as a kind of material with shape memory effect, which is widely used in aerospace, automobile and medical industry.
Shape memory alloy is a kind of metal with shape memory which can remember the shape of the material when it is heated above a certain temperature and keep it under the application of an external force. Generally, shape memory alloys have a dual-shape property, that is, when a certain temperature is reached in the application of an external force, the alloy can quickly return to the shape that has been set at the beginning, so it can restore the elastic deformation and restore the shape before deformation.
Based on the characteristics of shape memory alloy, we can develop shape memory aircraft, automobile and artificial organs with shape memory alloy. For example, the shape memory alloy material with tensile strength and super elasticity can be used to make warm clothing such as underwear and shoes that can be automatically restored to the predefined shape, which can save labor costs and make the clothing fit more closely. In aircraft industry, SMA can be used to manufacture high strength and light weight actuator for aircraft control system.
SMA also has good mechanical performance and physical properties, high strength, good processability, and high temperature and radiation resistance compared with ordinary materials. SMA has excellent product performance, which makes it widely used in the aerospace industry, including space solar arrays, rocket and missile fins, etc.
Forming process is the key to manufacturing high quality shape memory alloy components. Generally, rolling process is the most commonly used forming method in the production of SMA components. In the process of rolling, the shape memory alloy material is formed into different shapes by rolling and then heat treated, so that the material can recover the shape memory effect quickly during the forming process.
Forging process is also one of the forming methods that can be used to manufacture SMA components. The shape of the material is formed by pressing with a hammer or other tool, so that the shape memory alloy material can keep its original shape after deformation. It can be used to produce complex parts with complex components.
Stamping process is also an effective forming process for shape memory alloy components. In this process, the material is stamped directly into the predetermined shape by a stamping die to produce a continuous shape memory effect. In this process, the material can be shaped more accurately, but the cost is higher.
If the shape memory alloy components are to be used in high temperature environment, high temperature forming process can be used, including hot forging, rolling and quenching. These processes can be used to form components with high temperature environment, high strength and good fatigue resistance.
In conclusion, shape memory alloy manufacturing needs to adopt different forming processes according to the characteristics of the shape memory alloy material and the components to be manufactured. Rolling and forging processes can be used to produce components with good performance and complex shape, while high temperature forming process can be used to produce components with high temperature resistance. It is necessary to choose the right forming process according to the characteristics of the shape memory alloy and the components to be manufactured.
