A Study of the Possible Use of Materials With Shape Memory Effect in Shipbuilding

Abstract

The article presents a study of the possible use of materials with Shape Memory Effect (SME) in shipbuilding, which have two special abilities of transformation and changing shape with changing of temperature or deformation. Among the most well-known SME materials, our study focuses on Ni-Ti and Cu- based alloys. An example of the existing fabrication presents casting of Ni-Ti in the form of a disk, and a new approach – continuous casting of Ni-Ti and CuAlNi alloys in the form of rods. In the article some results are shown of characterisation of microstructure and the basic properties. This was done in accordance with the fact that such scientific approach could define the starting point for further identification of the functional characteristics of these alloys by knowing the their chemical content and microstructure. Numerous studies are being carried out today in order to find the optimal functional characteristics of SME alloys. All of this is aimed at optimising the fabrication of these alloys, with the achievement of suitable properties for application in shipbuilding.