Shape Memory Alloys for Classroom Demonstrations, Laboratories, and Student Projects

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are unique materials that effectively capture the attention of students due to their dramatic phase transformations that result from temperature or stress. The fascinating properties and intriguing applications of SMAs can entice students to learn about the materials field, as well as relatively complicated materials concepts. SMAs have been incorporated into a range of courses under a variety of topics, such as crystal structures, phase transformations, kinetics, constitutive relations, and smart materials. The concepts can be presented at different levels of knowledge, appropriate to the learning objectives for the particular audience. Several educational activities using NiTi shape memory alloys have been developed, such as web-based videos, shape setting of new designs, classroom demonstration of actuation, visualization of stress-induced transformations, and heat treatments to change transformation temperatures.