Crystallographically compatible ceramic shape memory materials

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Quandt
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 313454214

The unique mechanical properties of metallic shape memory (SM) alloys have spawned many different ground breaking applications. It would thus be of much scientific as well as technological interest to transpose those properties to ceramics. Such an effort would concurrently lead to less brittle ceramic materials. Furthermore, ceramics would be interesting materials providing SM properties at high temperatures or in harsh environments. In this proposal I will thus present a plan to explore ceramics that will display the key SM characteristics, large reversible eigenstrains and high fatigue limits. I will utilize the predictions of the theory of mechanical compatibility in conjunction with our own experiences on metallic NiTiCu films to identify promising ceramic candidate materials, which exhibit next to ideal crystallographic compatibility between the transforming phases. This high degree of compatibility, judged to be essential for ceramic materials, should then result in as yet unknown reversible eigenstrains in structural ceramic materials as well as in new functionalities in ferroelectric ceramics. Within this project the exceptional application perspective will be demonstrated in both ceramic material classes.

• DFG Programme: Reinhart Koselleck Projects