The Shape-Memory Alloys

Abstract

One focuses on «shape memory alloys» (SMAs), where a phase transformation (martensite) can be induced by stress and (or) temperature variations. A process of martensite variants reorientation can also take place. The SMAs functional properties such as pseudoelasticity, one-way shape memory effect, recovery stress, double-shape memory effect (training) are described. In the framework of thermodynamics of irreversible process applied to the generalized standard materials, a macroscopic model with internal variables is built. At last, a design of SMAs elements is done.