Design and Construction of a Tensile Testing Machine for Laboratory Characterization of Shape Memory Alloys

Abstract

The mechanical characterization of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) is critical for understanding their thermo-mechanical behavior and optimizing their performance in advanced engineering applications. However, the high cost of commercially available tensile testing machines with integrated thermal control limits accessibility, particularly in resource-constrained research and academic environments. This study presents the design and construction of a low-cost tensile testing machine tailored for laboratory characterization of SMAs, with emphasis on affordability, reproducibility, and educational utility. The system incorporates electromechanical actuation, microcontroller-based control, and thermal regulation to enable precise measurement of SMA properties under variable loading and temperature conditions. Comprehensive design documentation, fabrication details, calibration procedures, and testing protocols are provided to facilitate replication. The developed machine was validated through tensile tests on SMA springs, with experimental stress–strain curves showing strong agreement with numerical simulation results. Comparative analysis confirms the system’s accuracy and operational stability, demonstrating its suitability for both research and instructional use. The proposed design offers a cost-effective alternative to commercial systems, thereby enhancing accessibility to advanced materials testing in low-resource settings.