Updates from the Consortium for the Advancement of Shape Memory Alloy Research and Technology (CASMART).
Expanding the temperature range of shape memory alloys has been a pivotal topic for many years among several organizations and research institutions. High temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) can enable entirely new applications that can be exploited for use as compact, high temperature actuators typically targeted for the automotive, aerospace, and oil exploration industries. In order to build a path from fundamentals to commercialization, developers, researchers, and end-users must all agree on the current state-of-the-art and challenges ahead. CASMART—a mixture of industry, academia, and government stakeholders—has taken on the challenge to address this topic and advance it forward.
This year, CASMART initiated a series of technical discussions on HTSMAs, particularly the Ni-Ti-Hf system, as being one candidate for near-term maturation. This system has been chosen as a starting point due to its lower cost compared to Ni-Ti-X (X = Pt, Pd, Au). The group is now tackling several issues including:
- Understanding fundamentals (e.g., microstructures, modeling)
- Dimensional/thermal stability
- Durability and fatigue
- Form processing (rods, wire, plates, tubes)
- Scalability and reproducibility (e.g., > 100 lb heats)
- Applications
So far, CASMART has discussed and shared data on Ni-Ti-Hf melting and processing, aerospace applications, high temperature wire production, and microstructure of several compositions including Ni-Ti-Zr and very Ni-rich alloy systems. The CASMART forum for idea exchange is proving to be beneficial for expediting development of these alloys and moving toward commercialization.
For more information, contact Othmane Benafan, CASMART executive chairman, at [email protected].
