Functional Characterization of a Novel Shape Memory Alloy

A novel Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) has been developed as an alternative to currently available alloys. This material, called SMARQ, shows a higher working range of temperatures with respect to the SMA materials used in actuators, mainly NiTi based alloys. SMARQ is a fully European material technology and production processes, based on a low cost production procedure, which allows the manufacture of high quality products, with tunable transformation temperatures up to 200ºC. Both material and production processes are currently being evaluated for its use in space applications.

A full Characterization test campaign has been completed in order to obtain the main material properties and check its suitability to be used as active material in space actuators. The test campaign was carried out in a temperature range (-70ºC, +125ºC), including the following tests: strength characterization of both superelastic effect and shape memory effect, temperature characterization, electrical activation at different environment temperatures, lifetime tests at different environment temperatures and vacuum tests (~5•10^-3 mbar) at ambient temperature. A second material validation test campaign is being conducted, in an extended range of operating temperatures (-150ºC, +125ºC) and in a hard vacuum environment, including an extended lifetime test. Details of the tests setups and the obtained results of the characterization test campaign, focused in the material unique properties for their use in actuators, will be presented in this work. An analysis of the material mechanical performances, electrical properties, environmental behavior, reliability and lifetime will be shown.

Some application examples in the field of space mechanisms and actuators, currently under development, will be summarized as part of this work, demonstrating the technology suitability for the development of space actuators.