Additive manufacturing of shape memory alloys: A review with emphasis on powder bed systems
Ali N. Alagha, Shahadat Hussain, Wael Zaki
Abstract
The ability of shape memory alloys (SMAs) to recover inelastic strains larger than any other metallic alloy has prompted their use in a wide range of applications. However, for the most common SMAs, including NiTi and Cu-based systems, fabrication using conventional means raises important challenges, including poor workability and potentially high tool wear. Additive manufacturing offers a direct answer to these challenges by eliminating the need for tooling and allowing the production of samples of complex geometries directly from computer-aided designs. The present work provides a comprehensive review of additive manufacturing applied to various SMA systems, with focus on the influence of process parameters and heat-treatment on the microstructure, printability, and the structural and functional behavior of additively fabricated samples.