Systematic study of the Taylor method for production of cu-based shape memory alloy microwires : a master's thesis

Abstract

The Taylor method is a proven way to produce Cu-based shape memory microwires that aren't plagued by problems typical in polycrystalline copper SMAs produced by other methods. Here we set out to expand and refine this processing method to take the first critical steps toward large-scale continuous production. Using a semi-automated processing route, we draw continuous, uniform fibers up to 5 meters in length with diameters in the range 10 - 35 microns. Particular attention is paid to microwires made from a Cu-Sn shape memory alloy. In addition, because the properties of shape memory microwires depend on their diameter, processing parameters were varied to understand their impact on the diameters of the resulting wires.