Superelastic Alloy Structural Geometry for Ultrahigh Mechanical Damping

A mechanical damping system comprising:

• a mechanical support through which mechanical stress is input;
• a mechanical system;
• and
• a mechanical connection between the mechanical system and the mechanical support provided by at least one crystalline superelastic alloy structure having an average grain size and being characterized by a martensitic phase transformation resulting from a mechanical stress input greater than a characteristic first critical stress, a configuration of the superelastic alloy structure providing a geometric structural feature of the alloy including a structural feature having an extent that is no greater than about 200 micrometers and that is no larger than the average grain size, the geometric structural feature being configured to accept the input mechanical stress.

A mechanical damping system comprising:

• a mechanical housing having an input end through which mechanical stress is input;
• a mechanical support;
• and
• a mechanical connection between the housing and the support provided by at least one crystalline superelastic alloy structure having an average grain size and being characterized by a martensitic phase transformation resulting from a mechanical stress input greater than a characteristic first critical stress, a configuration of the superelastic alloy structure providing a geometric structural feature of the alloy including a structural feature having an extent that is no greater than about 200 micrometers and that is no larger than the average grain size of the alloy, the geometric structural feature being configured to accept the input mechanical stress.