Alliages à mémoire de forme

aspects fondamentaux et applications^*

Shape memory alloys :

Fundamentals and applications

GIAT⁄ATS, Tarbes

Abstract

Uses or potential uses of shape memory alloys fa ll into several main funclional groups. After the presentation of their metallurgical and mechanical properties associated with a thermoelastic martensitic transformation, a sample of their applications is considered including the use of the high damping capacity.

In a second part, the principles of the application design are drawn from the choices of the alloy, of the m emory shape, of the working and of the thermomechanical treatments. Using several examples, different ways of employing a memory element are exposed according to its function in the application. All of those show that acquisition of a basic knowledge in fundamentals and industrials is necessary to the control of an efficient use of such applications.