1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

A broad range of potential applications for exist for Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based actuators, however their transition from prototype demonstration to production and commercial use is hindered by the lack of accepted industry and regulatory testing and certification standards. Approved test methods are needed to support the development of design allowables, supplier qualification, and regularity approval of SMA materials and components. A committee was formed with members from industry, government and academia to develop and publish standard test methods that are specifically intended to measure SMA actuation properties. The committee was organized within the Aviation Vehicle Systems Institute (AVSI). Under this committee standard test methods for Uniaxial Constant Force Thermal Cycling (UCFTC) and Uniaxial Pre-strain and Free Recovery (UPFR) were published in coordination with ASTM as E3097 and E3098, respectively. In light of this recent development additional test methods are still needed to fully support the transition of SMA actuators to production use. Here, there is a recognized need for a test method that defines and evaluates dimensional stability, the evolution of actuation properties and actuation lifecycles during repeated UCFTC.