Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of new form superelastic shape memory alloy wires

Superelasticity is one of the most important properties of shape memory alloy(SMA).Considering the advantages of steel strands in mechanical properties,a new form of SMA wires — SMA strands,is proposed,which can be applied to concrete members.The superelastic mechanical properties,such as stress-induced martensite phase transformation stress,residual strain,maximum phase transition strain and damping properties,of the SMAs in both the ordinary SMA wires and the strands are compared with respect to strain amplitude and cyclic number.By analyzing the test results,a conclusion can be drawn that the mechanical properties of the SMA strands are better than those of the SMA wires.The form of SMA is suggested as an influencing factor of the superelastic mechanical properties.