Enhanced mechanical properties of Fe-Mn-Si-Cr shape memory fiber/plaster smart composite

This paper reports the fabrication method and mechanical properties of a shape memory alloy (SMA) fiber/plaster smart composite, which can be used in architectural and civil engineering applications. Fe-Mn-Si-Cr SMA fibers are subjected to pretensile strain at room temperature, and are embedded into plaster matrix. The Fe-Mn-Si-Cr SMA fiber/plaster composites are then heated up to 250degreesC (above As) to generate a compressive residual stress in the matrix. Three-point bending test is performed for the mechanical property characterization. Fiber pull-out test is also conducted to evaluate the bonding strength at interface between SMA fiber and plaster matrix. Finite element analyses are carried out to have some further insights on the experimental results. It is found that the bending strength of the composites enhances with increasing level of pretensile strain. By using the inexpensive Fe-Mn-Si-Cr SMA fibers for the reinforcement of the SMA composite, one can obtain materials for practical engineering applications at low cost.