Actuation curvature limits for a composite beam with embedded shape memory alloy wires

Shape memory alloy composites were manufactured using NiTi wires and woven glass fiber pre-impregnated fabrics. A closed form analytical model was developed to investigate the curvature achievable during actuation. The experimental results of actuation showed reasonable agreement with the model. Actuation temperatures were between ∼55 and 110 °C, curvatures of 0.25-0.5m-1 were obtained and the stresses in the wires were estimated to have reached 265MPa during actuation. An actuation curvature map was produced, which shows the actuation limits and approximate temperature-curvature curves for the general case of a composite containing shape memory alloy wires. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd.