This 0.012" Muscle Wire (aka shape memory Nitinol) is a one foot long piece of nickel-titanium alloy that can flex and contract when a specific amount of heat or current is applied to it, thanks to shape memory and a change between the wires' weaker, low-temperature form (martensitic) and its stronger, high temperature form (austenite).
When the Muscle Wire is in its martensitic form, it can be formed and bent into different shapes. However, when an electrical current of ~1.5A is applied to the wire or is heated to ~100C it reverts to austenite form and recovers its previous shape with great force. Additionally, you can anneal at ~500C (use an industrial furnace or simply a lighter) it to whatever shape you would want, next once that current or heat is applied it will return to that new shape.
Please Note:
- The datasheet found below is for Flexinol actuator wire, which isn't exactly like all Muscle Wire but it's close. Flexinol Actuators Wires are made specifically for linear actuators to replace small motors or solenoids.
- Length: 305mm
- Diameter: 0.30mm
- Current Required for Austenite Form: 1.5A
- Pull Force: 2.83lbs
- Resistance: 0.31 ohms/inch