Safaa Najah Saud Al-Humairi

By Safaa N. Saud Al-Humairi, Hasan Sh. Majdi, Amir N. Saud Al-Humairi and Mohammed Al-Maamori

Shape memory polymers and their related composites are formally known as SMPs and SMPCs have been classified as innovative categories of smart materials, in which they affected by a particular stimulus and consequently memorize the original shape. As one of the most vital feature of shape memory characteristics, Shape Memory Effect (SME) that been attracted significant attention from the shape memory researchers and scientists. On the other hands, there are abundant approaches can be implemented to actuate the SMPs and SMPCs deformation, whereby the features of the electro-or thermal response associated with the structural changes are predominant. In this chapter, a particular emphasis on how the incorporation of micro/nano-fillers and particles or fibers do affect in the SMP matrices, which it is intentionally carried out to improve the mechanical properties and their related shape memory features of various types of shape memory polymers. In the summary, the shape memory effect is been sustained to be an intrinsic feature for the SMPs and based on this property, the implementation of the SMPs have covered a wide range of applications according to the required functions and performances.

Part of the book: Smart and Functional Soft Materials

By Safaa Najah Saud Al-Humairi

Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been developed for high-temperature applications due to their ability to return to pre-deformed shape after heating above the transformation temperature, as well as these alloys have a small hysteresis and high transformation temperature comparing with other shape memory alloys. Adding some of the alloying elements such as Ti, Mn, Be, Zr and B or changing the interior content either Al or Ni by increasing/decreasing may have a significant effect on the phase transitions and enhance the mechanical properties of these alloys. However, the martensite phase transformation is the most important factor, which can be changing the whole properties of Cu-Al-Ni SMAs, where this phase is mainly affected by the alloying elements additions. This chapter reviews the effect of alloying elements on the phase transitions and the enhancement of the mechanical properties of this alloy.

Part of the book: Recent Advancements in the Metallurgical Engineering and Electrodeposition

By Safaa Najah Saud Al-Humairi

Part of the book: Gold Nanoparticles and Their Applications in Engineering