Materials Science Forum Vols 636-637 (2010) pp 1112-1118 Online: 2010-01-12

© (2010) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.636-637.1112

Finite Element Modelling of Ni-Ti Shape Memory Alloys

D.P.L. Silva1,a, R.F. Martins1,b and F.M. Braz Fernandes2,c
1
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Machine Design Group
Faculty of Science and Technology, The New University of Lisbon
Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
2
CENIMAT/I3N, Faculty of Science and Technology, The New University of Lisbon
Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
a
danielsilva19@hotmail.com, b rfspm@fct.unl.pt, c fbf@fct.unl.pt

Keywords: Ni-Ti alloys, Superelastic behaviour, Finite element modelling.

Abstract. Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) belong to a special group of metallic materials, which are
capable of returning to a pre-determined shape or size when submitted to an appropriate thermal
cycle. Generally, these alloys can be easily deformed at a relatively low temperature and, when
exposed to a higher temperature, can return to their original shape, that is, to the shape they had
before the mechanical deformation was imposed. Although there are a vast variety of materials that
can achieve the Shape Memory Alloy effect, only those in which it is possible to have a significant
recovery of the deformation – or in which it is possible to generate an important force during the
shape's change – can be functionally and commercially interesting. The Ni-Ti alloys, which are one
type of SMA, were numerically modelled through Ansys software and these studies are presented
in this paper. These special alloys, among many others applications, could be used, for instance, in
the form of wires (fibres), in smart composites, as actuators to recover partially the structural
integrity of a matrix with cracks. Some 2D and 3D cracked plates were modelled through finite
elements and the Stress Intensity Factor, in Mode I, KI, at each crack tip, was determined and
compared with the result obtained through the analytical solution. Wires of Ni-Ti, with very small
diameters and with different length/diameter ratios, were modelled and mechanical load cycles, at
different temperatures, were applied and the material’s behaviour/response was obtained. The
thermo-mechanical behaviour of the material was defined based on results published by other
authors. Also, a composite material with Ni-Ti fibres embedded was modelled and a mechanical
load was applied to it.

Introduction
Ni-Ti alloys are a special group of metallic materials, also known as “Smart Materials”, which have
two very important characteristics: superelasticity and shape memory. These characteristics are due
to a phase change, at the solid state, at particular transformation temperatures (Fig.1a), that are
designated by “Ms” and “Mf”, for the initial and final temperature of the martensitic transformation,
respectively, and by “As” and “Af”, for the initial and final temperature of the austenitic
transformation.
Superelastic Behaviour. This characteristic is possible to achieve when the temperature is higher
than “Af”, which means that the material is at its austenitic phase. As it is shown in Fig.1b, when
the loading is applied, the material presents a classic linear elastic behaviour till σs. Then, the
material starts to suffer a martensitic transformation, due to the applied stress, till σf and, from that
point on, the material will be on a martensitic phase. At the unloading stage (Fig. 1b), the martensite
will transform into austenite. The mechanical hysteresis of the material (loading versus unloading),
leads to energy dissipation, which could be very useful in applications, such as vibration dampers.
These alloys could fully recover strains up to 10% [3] (Fig. 1b) and, above that value, the material
will deform permanently. The Tensile Strength could be of 1300 MPa and the Rupture Strain of 25%.

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 Materials Science Forum Vols. 636-637 1113

Shape Memory Effect. Looking at Fig. 1a, it can be observed that, at a temperature below Mf, the
alloy can be easily deformed and shows an elastic unloading (Points A, B, C). After that, if the
temperature's level is raised above “Af”, the material will go back to its austenitic phase, and to its
original shape. Besides, there is always a residual deformation at the end of the thermo mechanical
cycle, but that tends to get stable after some cycles are applied on the alloy. Shape memory alloys
possess an inherent actuation capability that makes them attractive as actuators in adaptative
structures.

a) b)
Fig. 1. a) Characterisation of shape memory on Ni-Ti alloys. b) Superelasticity on Ni-Ti alloys.

Fracture Analyses. The Ni-Ti alloys can be used, for instance, as pre-tensioned fibres embedded in
a matrix made of a polymer or cement, where a crack have nucleated and propagated, so that the
assembly can react as a “smart composite”. Due to the shape memory characteristic, the crystalline
structure of the fibres, when submitted to an AC/DC current, which causes heating, will change
back to austenite and will tend to recover the shape that it had prior to the pre-tension introduced.
This will induce compressive forces close to the crack tip, thus blocking its propagation.
Three plates with side and central cracks (Fig. 2) where simulated with bidimensional (PLANE
82) and tridimensional finite elements (SOLID186) (Fig. 3). A tensile stress of 30MPa was applied
perpendicular to the crack propagation direction. The stress intensity factor, KI, at each crack tip
was numerical calculated (Table 1) and compared with the corresponding analytical values (Fig. 2).

ΚΙ = Υ  σ  π  a ΚΙ = Υ  σ  π  a ΚΙ = Υ  σ  π  a
2 3 4
a a a a a a
3
 a  a
2
Υ = 1.12  0.23  + 10.6   21.7  + 30.4  1.12  0.61  + 0.13 
 w  w  w  w 1   + 0.326 
Υ=  w  w  2w   w
Κ Ι = 1.50469  30  π  0.25 Υ=
 
a a
Κ Ι = 40 MPa m 1   1  
 w  w
Κ Ι = 1.17557  30  π  0.25 Κ Ι = 1.03389  30  π  0.125
Κ Ι = 31.25MPa m Κ Ι = 19.44 MPa m

Fig. 2. Plates with side and central cracks. Analytical values of the Stress Intensity Factor, K I, at
each crack tip [4].
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All elements in the vicinity of the crack tip had colapsed nodes and midside nodes moved ¼
ahead in the direction of the crack, in order to simulate the singularity of the stress fields [5]. Also,
at least one symmetry condition was used in each 2D analysis (Fig. 3a), in order to simplify the
calculations, which were all performed with the software Ansys.
Looking at Table 1, the similar results obtained through the analytical and the numerical analyses
show the capacity to model simple structures with cracks and obtain valid results. However,
regarding the possibility to include Ni-Ti fibres in the 2D or 3D numerical cracked models (Fig. 4),
in order to recover partially the structural integrity of the smart composite, the software does not
have, at the moment, elements of type LINK1 able to simulate the superelasticity and shape
memory characteristics of the Ni-Ti fibres. The creation/modification of this finite element using
the routine USERMAT from Ansys is presently under study and it is expected its application in
the cracked plates that have been studied (Fig. 3).

a)

b)
Fig. 3. a) 2D finite element meshes of the cracked plates. The symbol of symmetry indicates when
the analysis is ½ or ¼ of the entire structure. b) 3D finite element mesh of the cracked plates.

Table 1. Stress Intensity Factor Results and Error.

KI MPa m 
Analytical Numerical Error Numerical Error
Results Results (2D) [%] Results (3D) [%]
One Side Crack 40 39.91 0.23 40.97 2.4
Two Sides Crack 31.25 31.14 0.35 30.19 3.4
Central Crack 19.44 19.08 1.8 18.83 3.1
 Materials Science Forum Vols. 636-637 1115

Fig. 4. Overall view of the “smart composite”, where Ni-Ti fibres could be used to recover partially
the structural integrity of the 3D cracked matrix.

Finite Element Modelling of Superelasticity Behaviour of Ni-Ti Alloys. All numerical analyses
were performed using Ansys and the theoretical curves of the material (Fig. 5) were based on
Govindjee' studies [1, 2].

1)  SAS   S , correspondente ao valor da tensão no início

da transformação martensítica

2)    f , correspondente ao valor da tensão no fim da

AS
f
Stress [MPa]

transformação martensítica

3)  SSA   AS , correspondente ao valor da tensão no início

do retorno da transformação martensítica

4)  SA
f   SA , correspondente ao valor da tensão quando

entra novamente na fase austenítica

_ Strain
5)  L , que é o valor da extensão residual máxima
6)  , que é o parâmetro que relaciona a resposta do
material à tracção com a resposta à compressão (3º
T=293 K quadrante da figura).
T=323 K
Stress [MPa] Strain Stress [MPa] Strain
200 0.0029 330 0.0049
325 0.08 420 0.08
145 0.074 220 0.072
25 0.0004 145 0.0022
0.077 0.075

Fig. 5. Superelastic material model of Ni-Ti. Stress and strain values for the austenite to martensite
transformation and vice versa, at two temperatures: 293 K and 323 K [1,2].

A first analysis simulated a square cross section’s wire with an edge length of 0.36mm and 5mm
long, with a mesh constituted by only one finite element (Fig. 6a). Two load cycles were applied, in
order to prove the capacity of simulating different responses at different temperatures. In the first
cycle, an uniaxial tensile loading of 325 MPa, at a temperature of 293 K, followed by unloading till
0MPa was applied (Fig. 6b); in the second cycle it was applied a tensile load of 420 MPa at a
temperature of 323 K (Fig. 6b). From the comparison of the experimental data with the Stress vs.
Strain values obtained by numerical simulation (Fig. 6b), it can be concluded that the curves fit well
in almost whole cycle, except when unloading occurs and the slope of the experimental and
numerical values shows small discrepancies.
In a second analysis, the geometry studied was maintained (Fig. 7a), but it was used a mesh of 28
elements (Fig.7b) and it was applied symmetry condition in some faces of the model, so that only ¼
1116 Advanced Materials Forum V

of the part was modelled (Fig.7a). A maximum tensile stress of 325MPa was applied at T=293 K,
followed by an unloading cycle (0MPa) (Fig. 7c). The superelasticity behaviour was well simulated.

a) b)
Fig. 6. a) Finite element simulating a wire with square section (0.360.36mm) and 5mm long.
b) Response of the material to two loadings (0-325-0MPa, 0-420-0MPa) at two temperatures: 293 K
and 323 K.

a) b)

c)
Fig. 7. a) Geometry studied; b) Mesh of 28 elements used; c) Load steps applied at 293 K.
 Materials Science Forum Vols. 636-637 1117

In a third analysis, a “smart composite”, consisting of fibres of Ni-Ti bonded to the matrix (Fig.
8), was modelled and defined with compatible meshes (no clearance). The loading and unloading
load steps, consisting in a surface pressure, were applied to one face of the composite and the stress
vs. strain responses in the matrix and in the fibres can be seen in Fig. 8.

Matrix Fibres

9.0E+08

8.0E+08

7.0E+08

6.0E+08
V.Mises Stress [Pa]

5.0E+08

4.0E+08

3.0E+08

2.0E+08

1.0E+08

0.0E+00
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6

Step Time [0,0.5],[0.5,1]

Ni-Ti Fibre, Node 593 Matrix- Node 1515

Fig. 8. Finite element analyses on “smart composites”.

The analyses presented were performed with time increment values comprehended between
1x10-15 and a maximum of 1x10-2 and with the large displacement formulation active. The end time
for each step was equal to 1.

Concluding Remarks
 It was possible to simulate the superelasticity behaviour of Ni-Ti alloys for different temperatures,
in different geometries. However, the numerical response during the unloading step is not quite
correct, having been parallel to the curve obtained in the elastic regime, when it should have a
slope minor than the one of the austenitic elastic behaviour;
 The greater the complexity and size of the part to be analysed, the greater the difficulty in
determining the timestep of the non-linear analysis and longer will be the time of calculation;
 Two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical analyses of three plates with cracks were
performed. The comparison between the results obtained by the numerical analyses and by the
analytical formulas showed high accuracy;
 It was not possible to simulate the shape memory effect, neither with LINK1 nor with SOLID186
finite element types. The usage of a USERMAT routine from Ansys could be interesting in
defining a new material model. In order to simulate the shape memory effect in cracked
components, it is under study the implementation of the Müller-Achenbach-Seelecke shape
memory alloy model [6] into LINK1 elements;
 Some studies on “smart composite materials”, with Ni-Ti fibres embedded in a polymeric matrix,
were made on Ansys and CosmosWorks.
1118 Advanced Materials Forum V

References
[1] S. Govindjee, E.P. Kasper: Computational aspects of one-dimensional shape memory alloy
modeling with phase diagrams, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg. Vol. 171 (1999),
p.309-326
[2] S. Govindjee, G.J. Hall: A computational model for shape memory alloys, International Journal
of Solids and Structures Vol. 37 (2000), p. 735-760
[3] K. Otsuka, X. Ren: “Physical metallurgy of Ti–Ni-based shape memory alloys”, Progress in
Materials Science Vol 50 (2005) p. 511–678
[4] C.M. Branco, A.A. Fernandes, P. Tavares de Castro: Fadiga de Estruturas Soldadas, 1ª Edição,
Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (1986), p.26-27
[5] R.S. Barsoum: International Journal of Fracture Vol. 11 (1975), p.167-169
[6] J.P. Frautschi: Finite Element Simulations of Shape Memory Alloy Actuators in Adaptive
Structures, MSc. Thesis, Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University (2003)
Advanced Materials Forum V
10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.636-637

Finite Element Modelling of Ni-Ti Shape Memory Alloys

10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.636-637.1112

DOI References
[1] S. Govindjee, E.P. Kasper: Computational aspects of one-dimensional shape memory alloy modeling with
phase diagrams, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg. Vol. 171 (1999), p.309-326
doi:10.1016/S0045-7825(98)00213-8
[2] S. Govindjee, G.J. Hall: A computational model for shape memory alloys, International Journal of Solids
and Structures Vol. 37 (2000), p. 735-760
doi:10.1016/S0020-7683(99)00048-7
[3] K. Otsuka, X. Ren: “Physical metallurgy of Ti–Ni-based shape memory alloys”, Progress in Materials
Science Vol 50 (2005) p. 511–678
doi:10.1016/j.pmatsci.2004.10.001
[1] S. Govindjee, E.P. Kasper: Computational aspects of one-dimensional shape memory alloy odeling with
phase diagrams, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg. Vol. 171 (1999), .309-326
doi:10.1016/S0045-7825(98)00213-8
[5] R.S. Barsoum: International Journal of Fracture Vol. 11 (1975), p.167-169
doi:10.1007/BF00034724