Phase transitions induced by extension in a slender SMA cylinder: Analytical solutions for the hysteresis loop based on a quasi-3D continuum model

In this paper, we propose a quasi-3D continuum model to study the rate-independent hysteresis phenomenon in phase transitions of a slender shape memory alloy (SMA) cylinder subject to the uniaxial tension. Based on the three-dimensional field equations and the traction-free boundary conditions, by using a coupled series-asymptotic expansion method, we manage to express the total elastic potential energy of the cylinder in terms of the leading order term of the axial strain. We further consider the rate-independent dissipation effect in a purely one-dimensional setting. The mechanical dissipation functions are also expressed in terms of the axial strain. The equilibrium configuration of the cylinder is then determined by using the principle of maximizing the total energy dissipation. An illustrative example with some special chosen material constants is further considered. Free end boundary conditions are proposed at the two ends of the cylinder. By conducting a phase plane analysis and through some calculations, we obtain the analytical solutions of the equilibrium equation. We find that the engineering stress–strain curves corresponding to the obtained solutions can capture some important features of the experimental results. It appears that the analytical results obtained in this paper reveal the multiple solutions nature of the problem and shed certain light on the instability phenomena during the phase transition process.