Study on Heat-induced-shape-shifting-memory Alloy on Motorcycle Body Panel

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have the ability of memorizing the original or pervious
states such as size or shape when applied to certain process. The objective of this study
was to identify the transformation temperature value for a nickel–titanium (Ni-Ti) sample.
The experiment was conducted for a one-way shape memory effects in utilizing the high
temperature tube furnace, whilst, the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to examine the sample. The result
showed that sample which undergone heat treatment up to 6100C was able to produce the
one-way shape effect with better characteristics and better austenite phase recovery rate.
From the DSC curve, it was found that the transformation temperature value was within
the range of 67 and 680C. The other values obtained via the DSC are as follow: Austenite
Start (As) = 760C, Austenite Finish (Af) = 530C, Martensite Start (Ms) = 220C, and
Martensite Finish (Mf) = 490C. Based on the result of this study, the two-way shape
memory effect experiment could now be performed. For the future, more studies on the
nickel–titanium (Ni-Ti) material’s thermomechanical behavior is recommended since the
demand in the use of piezoelectric materials and electro-rheological material are rapidly
increasing due to their flexible and unique properties.