Preliminary results of stress recovery of constrained NiTi SMA wire for aerospace applications

Abstract

The rocket propellant ignition system uses electro-explosive device actuated by wire electrode. Those wires are usually made by Fe-Ni based alloy with controlled thermal expansion inserted into a ceramic feed-through and are connected to thin resistive wire which is heated through the passage of an electrical current for propellant ignition. The contact between ceramic feed-through and wires should be reliable since sometimes it could fail. A novel alternative process is to use SMA wires taking into account the shape recovery effect constraining the wire inside the feed-through. The recovery stress of 326 MPa for 4% pre-strain should be enough to constrain the wire inside the feed-trough avoiding the gas leakage. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.

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