Investigations of additively manufactured SMA high-load actuator elements

Additive Manufacturing techniques like laser powder bed fusion process allow for the manufacturing of NiTi shape memory elements. The additive produced hollow samples are in the low-temperature phase in the martensitic state at room temperature. The reversible, martensitic-austenitic phase transformation results in a shape memory effect. The additional heat treatment makes the hollow cylinders suitable for cyclic use as actuator material. Microstructure, phase transformation temperatures, and cyclic behavior were investigated. In addition, a high-load actuator element is presented.