Development of a Torsional Actuator Using Ni-Ti Alloy with Shape Memory Effect

Ti-Ni alloys are the most widely used among many other shape memory alloys and in the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), in Brazil, was manufactured an alloy of Ni-Ti that can be deformed until 9% and to have a complete shape recovery. Taking advantage of this feature (higher than that found in the literature) we propose the application of this material on linear and torcional actuators for comparison of responses in recovery for each system, showing the design, mounting, performance and the results. For this application will be used Ni-Ti wires of 1 and 2 mm. The linear actuator consists of a vertical mounting to create the necessary tension to stretch the wire with weight and the torcional actuator will be a mount that allows the wires cover a cylinder and stay in a spiral form, both actuators must be capable of measuring the shape recovery and the force developed in the process. This work we will use a conventional heating system with fluid (water) above the austenitic transformation temperature (88°C).