2SMArtEST

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-based pipe coupling system for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) applications allow to realize extremely compact joints, remotely mountable/dismountable by means of temperature variations. This feature makes the proposed technology unique and irreplaceable with respect to the coupling solutions currently available on the market, both permanent (e.g. welds) and removable (e.g. bolted/chained vacuum flanges). Further advantages consist in the radiation resistance, extreme compactness and lightness of the SMA connectors if compared to traditional flanges and, above all, in the bi-material joining capability. Bolt-free SMA-based couplers allow to create leak-tight bi-material cylindrical junctions, with huge technological/economic advantages as well as higher design/operation flexibility. These characteristics result in notable benefits in different sectors, such as high energy physics, optics and nuclear medicine. For the first time, SMA couplers were installed in an accelerator in operation, namely for a titanium/stainless steel transition in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-based pipe connectors for high pressure (HP) systems are ideally suited for use over a range of engineering applications found within the oil and gas, aerospace and automotive industry. The high strain and high force output of SMAs can be exploited to create lightweight, compact joints for hydraulic/pneumatic systems. SMA-based technologies could be advantageously employed for HP pipe couplings with diameter up to 300 mm. The remote thermal activation feature could provide significant benefits especially in subsea applications, for both maintenance and repairing operations. These latter are extremely complex and expensive procedures and the use of smart systems represents a unique competitive advantage with respect to other state of the art technologies (e.g. welds and bolted junctions). The high corrosion resistance of SMAs represents an additional advantage with respect to standard technologies. Conventional permanent hydraulic tube connections are normally obtained by orbital welding. This is a quite complex and time consuming process that needs extremely qualified staff, special surface preparation and other expensive pre/post process tests including X-rays analyses; SMA couplers offer a quick and cost-effective alternative, especially for bi-metallic connections.