Shape Memory Alloy Torque Drive The Basic Mechanical Properties,

The Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) torsion actuator is based on special mechanical behavior of SMA. It is able to achieve the ability that traditional structures can't reach, and offer a new viewpoint in the aircraft design. In the paper, the research is done in basic mechanical performance of SMA torsion actuators.The main content of the research in this paper is about: It is searched the theoretical model of the SMA torsion actuator; the test is done about the actuator basic performance in three conditions: free, completely restrained, stretch restrained, and the research is done in the optimize relation between the actuating performance and a structural parameter of actuator's, the wound angle between SMA wires and a thin-walled tube.Based on the analysis in SMA constitutive relations, it is deduced a mechanical model founded on the statics and L. C. Brinson SMA model. It is obtained a series of curves of the actuator basic performance in different restrained condition by the experiments, and got the optimization wound angle, 60?, in the actuating performance.