HIGH-POWER Ti-Ni-Cu SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

A Ti-Ni-Cu shape memory alloy which has a composition comprising a Ti content of from 50.5-66.6 at%, a Cu content of from 27-40 at%, and the balance Ni, and has a structure comprising TiCu crystal grains and TiNi crystal grains. The actuating force is highest among the shape memory alloys reported so far. Since it produces the greatest actuating force also as a microactuator, it is expected as a high-power actuator. Although the displacement amount is relatively small, it is still about 10 times that of piezoelectric actuators and about twice that of shape memory alloys put to practical use which utilize R-phase transformation and it is applicable to an application requiring an especially high power.