DefinePK

Abstract

Shape memory alloys have revolutionized the material engineering sciences as they exhibit exclusive features i.e. shape memory effect and super-elasticity.  Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are those alloys that when deformed returns to its pre-deformed shape upon heating, they can also restore their original shape by removing the load. Research on properties of newly advent of many types of iron-based shape memory alloys (Fe-SMAs), shows that they have great-potential to be the counterpart of Nitinol. These Fe-based shape memory alloys have been used and found to be effective because of their low cost, high cold workability, good weldability & excellent characteristics comparing with Nitinol (high processing cost and low cold workability). Some of the Fe-based shape memory alloys show super-elasticity. Iron-based shape memory alloys, especially Fe-Mn-Si alloys have a great-potential for civil engineering structures because of its unique properties e.g. two-way shape memory effect, super elasticity and shape memory effect as well as due to its low cost, high elastic stiffness and wide transformation hysteresis comparative to Nitinol. A detailed review of applications of pre-existing Fe-based SMAs is performed in this paper. Different fields of applications of Fe-based SMA are discussed. These applications are categorised and tabulated in different fields. An analysis is performed that in which field the Fe-based SMA applications are mostly exist. An analysis is performed showing percentage increase in the applications of Fe-based SMA since 1990 to date.