Superelastic behavior refers to a unique mechanical property exhibited by certain materials, particularly shape memory alloys (SMAs), such as nickel-titanium (NiTi). This phenomenon occurs when the material can undergo large strains without permanent deformation, returning to its original shape upon unloading. The underlying mechanism involves the reversible phase transformation between austenite and martensite, which allows the material to accommodate significant changes in shape under stress.
This behavior can be summarized in the following points:
Mathematically, the superelastic behavior can be represented by the relation between stress () and strain (), showcasing a nonlinear elastic response during the phase transformation process.
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