A Comparative Study on Force Deformation Behaviour of Fe and Cu-Based SMA with NiTi SMA

Ni-Ti-based shape memory alloy (SMA) finds extensive applications, yet its high cost presents a challenge. As a cost-effective alternative, Fe and Cu-based SMAs have gained popularity. In this context, the present experimental study conducts tensile and cyclic tests on Ni-Ti, Cu-Al-Ni, and Fe-Mn-Si SMA bars to compare their mechanical behavior and assess their performance regarding stress-strain response, energy dissipation capacity, and residual deformation. The tensile test results show that Ni-Ti and Fe-based SMAs exhibit higher yield and ultimate stress, as well as failure strain, compared to Cu-based SMA. Moreover, cyclic tension-compression test results reveal that Ni-Ti SMA demonstrates a stable hysteresis loop with higher recovery residual strain compared to Cu-based and Fe-based SMAs. These findings underscore the potential of combining Ni-Ti and Fe-based SMAs as a viable alternative material for smart vibration control system design and retrofitting devices, offering higher energy dissipation capacity and larger ductility with good recentering ability.