Regensburg 2000 – scientific programme

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SYMT: Martensitic Transformations and Shape Memory Effect

SYMT 2: Shape Memory Effect

SYMT 2.1: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 29, 2000, 16:30–17:00, H16

General Overview of Shape Memory Alloys — •J. Van Humbeeck — Dep. MTM-KULeuven, De Croylaan 2, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium

Shape Memory alloys (SMA) are nowadays well-established functional materials with most exciting behaviour: one- and two-way shape memory effect, superelasticity, actuator capacity and high damping capacity. In spite of the fact that the basic origin of those functional properties – a (thermo-elastic) martensitic transformation – is observed in many alloy systems, only the NiTi system became finally viable for industrial applications. This lecture will shortly overview the basic mechanism of the functional behaviour and the different alloy systems that had been once, are or could be once potential candidates for industrial applications. Special attention will be given to NiTi and the derived alloys that are so far in use for specific purposes, i.e. NiTiCu, NiTiCuCr, NiTiNb, NiTi(Hf, Zr), ... To illustrate the market pull of those alloys, a short overview will be given on the most interesting applications but with special attention to medical applications, nowadays the most important market for SMA.