TiNiHf/SiO_(2)/Si shape memory film composites for bidirectional micro actuation

The martensitic phase transformation in Ti_(40.4)Ni_(48)Hf_(11.6) shape memory alloys is leveraged for bi-directional actuation with TiNiHf/SiO_(2)/Si com-posites.The shape memory properties of magnetron sputtered Ti_(40.4)Ni_(48)Hf_(11.6) films annealed at 635℃-5 min are influenced by film thickness and the underlying substrate.Decreasing TiNiHf film thick-ness from 21μm to 110 nm results in the reduction of all characteristic transformation temperatures until a critical thickness is reached.Particularly,Ti_(40.4)Ni_(48)Hf_(11.6) thin films as low as 220 nm show transfor-mations above room temperature when deposited on SiO_(2) buffer layer,which is of great interest in nano-actuation.In comparison,220 nm films on Si substrates are austenitic at room temperature,and thus not suitable for actuation.Thermal fatigue tests on TiNiHf/SiO_(2)/Si bimorphs demonstrate better functional fatigue characteristics than freestanding films,with an average reduction of 15℃ after 125 cycles,with tempera-ture stabilization subsequently.Experimental bi-directional actuation results are promising in the development of bistable actuators within a PMMA/TiNiHf/Si trimorph composite,whereby the additional PMMA layer undergoes a glass transition at 105℃.With the aid of constitutive modeling,a route is elaborated on how bistable actuation can be achieved at micro-to nanoscales by showing favorable thickness combinations of PMMA/TiNiHf/Si composite.

Shape memory alloy film damping for smart miniature systems

This paper presents a dynamic analysis of the free and forced vibration of a free-standing bridge of superelastic shape memory alloy TiNiCuCo film with ultra-low fatigue properties and evaluates its versatility for novel miniature scale damping applications.A thermodynamics-based finite element model is used to simulate the evolution of martensite phase fraction during load-induced martensitic phase transformation.The effects of pre-strain,strain rate and excitation load on the hysteresis of stress-strain characteristics are investigated in order to assess damping energies.The analysis is performed under non-isothermal conditions taking into account heat transfer and rate-dependence of release and absorption of latent heat.We show that damping energy can be maximized by applying an optimum pre-strain.A maximum damping capacity of 0.17 is determined for the case of complete stressstrain hysteresis loop during phase transformation.