High performance shape memory effect (HP-SME): Un innovativo percorso termo-meccanico per lo sviluppo di attuatori SMA ad elevate prestazioni

A novel thermo-mechanical path to achieve extraordinary high-stress recovery shape memory effect has been recently proposed. This phenomenon was called High Performance Shape Memory Effect (HP-SME) and relies on thermal cycling of stress induced martensite. By HP-SME, a new class of shape memory actuators can be designed considering alloys that are commonly employed at room or body temperature as superelastic materials. In this work, the HP-SME is extensively described and the results of thermo-mechanical tests carried out on thin austenitic Ni-rich NiTi wires are reported and compared with those of martensitic Ti-rich NiTi wires.