Back to results
US 7,253,219 B2Granted
Functional composite material using shape memory alloy and production method therefor
AssigneeNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
InventorsYa Xu, Kazuhiro Otsuka, Nobuyuki Toyama, Byungkoog Jang, Teruo Kishi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A functional composite material characterized by being molded by solidifying by a resin base material a martensite-phase shape memory alloy wire produced by cold drawing a shape memory alloy which changes between an austenite phase and a martensite phase via a phase transformation temperature. The material enables a smooth motion memorized in the shape memory alloy.
Claims4
A process for producing a functional, martensite reverse-transformed composite material, the process comprising:
- a) cold drawing a shape memory Ti—Ni based alloy, transformable between a martensite phase and an austenite phase at phase transformation temperatures, for plastic deformation to produce cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires having a martensite reverse transformation starting temperature of at least 130° C.;
- b) then molding said cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires in a martensite phase surrounded by a resin matrix to form a composite material;
- c) then curing said resin matrix;
- and
- d) then passing electric current through said cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires, embedded within said cured resin matrix, to heat said wires to a temperature above the reverse transformation temperature and to cause martensite reverse transformation to occur so that the reverse transformation temperature is normalized.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.