Laser Machining and Thermo-Mechanical Response of NiTi Snake-Like Elements for Shape Memory Micro-Actuators

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) can be considered a good candidate for actuation applications in the current micro-technology field. In the micro-scale the most suitable elementary geometry for an actuator could be the snake-like arrangement, whose conformation allows high strokes with considerable forces to obtained. In this work snake-like SMA elements for micro-actuators were produced by laser machining.  Subsequent surface treatments were then experimented to improve functional properties. Calorimetric and thermo-mechanical response of 80 mm thick SMA elements are reported. Furthermore, thermal cycling tests were performed under constant applied load in order to check functional stability of the SMA elements to thousands cycles.