Smart Wire (Smart Material)

Smart Wire (Smart Material)

CP00054321

Product code: CP00054321

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Smart wire is a shape memory alloy (SMA) that changes its length with a useful pulling force when a small current is passed through it.

SMA is a smart material which, as its name suggests, has a memory. The most common SMA is an alloy (mixture of metals) of nickel and titanium -called nitinol. By means of special heat treatment, a piece of SMA can be made to 'remember' a shape. For example, a length of wire can be made to remember that it should be straight at temperatures above 70°C. If you bend this wire at normal room temperature into the shape of a paper clip, it stays bent and will continue acting as a paper clip. However, if you place it in a glass of water whose temperature is above 70°C, it immediately straightens out! When cool, it remains straight until it is bent again.This cycle of bending and then straightening when heated can be continued millions of times. The temperature at which SMA 'remembers' its original form is called the transition temperature and when this point is reached, it changes shape.

SMA has a relatively high electrical resistance and can be heated to its transition temperature by passing an electrical current through it. 

  • Resistance: 150Ω per metre
  • Maximum Current: 180 milliamps
  • Maximum Power: 5 Watts per metre
  • Bias Force: 0.3 N
  • Pulling Force: 1.5 N
  • Cross applications in Science and Design Technology classes
  • Key Stage 3 Chemistry - Materials: Properties of ceramics, polymers and composites (qualitative)
  • Key Stage 4 Chemistry - Structure, Bonding and the Properties of Matter: Smart Materials and Their Properties.  Bulk properties of materials related to bonding and intermolecular forces
  •  Key Stage 4 Chemistry - Atomic structure and the Periodic Table: Characteristic properties of metals and non-metals.
  • The Smart Wire is activated by passing a small electric current through it.  It is also affected by temperature.

Further Information

Activation Method
Current / Temperature
Age Recommended from
11 Years
Age Suitable from
3 Years
Brand
Unbranded
Curriculum Link
Smart Materials
Material Type
Smart Wire Memory Alloy
Product Type
Smart Material
User
Staff & Students
-
+

Smart wire is a shape memory alloy (SMA) that changes its length with a useful pulling force when a small current is passed through it.

SMA is a smart material which, as its name suggests, has a memory. The most common SMA is an alloy (mixture of metals) of nickel and titanium -called nitinol. By means of special heat treatment, a piece of SMA can be made to 'remember' a shape. For example, a length of wire can be made to remember that it should be straight at temperatures above 70°C. If you bend this wire at normal room temperature into the shape of a paper clip, it stays bent and will continue acting as a paper clip. However, if you place it in a glass of water whose temperature is above 70°C, it immediately straightens out! When cool, it remains straight until it is bent again.This cycle of bending and then straightening when heated can be continued millions of times. The temperature at which SMA 'remembers' its original form is called the transition temperature and when this point is reached, it changes shape.

SMA has a relatively high electrical resistance and can be heated to its transition temperature by passing an electrical current through it. 

  • Resistance: 150Ω per metre
  • Maximum Current: 180 milliamps
  • Maximum Power: 5 Watts per metre
  • Bias Force: 0.3 N
  • Pulling Force: 1.5 N
  • Cross applications in Science and Design Technology classes
  • Key Stage 3 Chemistry - Materials: Properties of ceramics, polymers and composites (qualitative)
  • Key Stage 4 Chemistry - Structure, Bonding and the Properties of Matter: Smart Materials and Their Properties.  Bulk properties of materials related to bonding and intermolecular forces
  •  Key Stage 4 Chemistry - Atomic structure and the Periodic Table: Characteristic properties of metals and non-metals.
  • The Smart Wire is activated by passing a small electric current through it.  It is also affected by temperature.

Further Information

Activation Method
Current / Temperature
Age Recommended from
11 Years
Age Suitable from
3 Years
Brand
Unbranded
Curriculum Link
Smart Materials
Material Type
Smart Wire Memory Alloy
Product Type
Smart Material
User
Staff & Students

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