Journey of smart material from composite to shape memory alloy (SMA), characterization and their applications-A review

This review paper deals with the advancements of composites to shape memory alloys. The journey of smart materials from conventional composites to advance shape memory alloys and their application is described in this literature. Classification of smart materials such as smart composites, shape memory alloys, polymer composite and various other types of materials that are intelligent are explained briefly. Different manufacturing and developing techniques to manufacture smart materials and characterization of conventional composites is compared with advance modern day shape memory alloys. Shape memory effect such as one way and two-way shape memory effect are depicted. However, the most important of all the applications and extensive use of smart materials in health care sector for implants and various other uses with uses in aerospace and automotive industries are reviewed.