Basic SMA Component Geometries and Responses

Abstract

SMA components must allow for a large surface area compared to their volume in order for them to be able to be cooled rapidly and repeated use at reasonable actuation frequencies. Thus SMAs are commonly used in the form of wires/rods, springs, tubes or beams under different loading conditions (tension, torsion or bending) for exploiting their unique characteristics in many practical applications. All these geometries are governed by their high surface to volume ratios. To begin with, a review of different SMA geometries commonly used in different applications and their complex responses are discussed below.