Structural fatigue and fracture of shape memory alloy actuators: Current status and perspectives

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-actuators are efficient, simple, and robust alternatives to conventional actuators when a small volume and/or large force and stroke are required. The analysis of their failure response is critical for their design in order to achieve optimum functionality and performance. Here, (i) the existing knowledge base on the fatigue and overload fracture response of SMAs under actuation loading is reviewed regarding the failure micromechanisms, empirical relations for actuation fatigue life prediction, experimental measurements of fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rates, and numerical investigations of toughness properties and (ii) future developments required to expand the acquired knowledge, enhance the current understanding, and ultimately enable commercial applications of SMA-actuators are discussed.