ASTM Standard Test Methods for Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

Recently, two newly developed American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test methods for SMA materials and components were released to the public. The standards, listed as E3097 Standard Test Method for Mechanical Uniaxial Constant Force Thermal Cycling of Shape Memory Alloys (UCFTC) and E3098 Standard Test Method for Mechanical Uniaxial Pre-strain and Thermal Free Recovery of Shape Memory Alloys (UPTFR), represent a critical step towards commercialization and production of SMA actuators. The standards test parameters and their suggested values were initially selected based on prior member’s experience, to provide guidance and a starting point. In this work, ruggedness tests were performed on both test methods using controlled experiments in which factors are deliberately varied. The testing methodology, analysis techniques, and resulting conclusions on the ruggedness of the test methods are presented.