Influence of Electrical Parameters in a Composite Wing Actuated by Shape Memory Alloys Wires: A Numerical–Experimental Study

This study investigates the influence of electrical actuation parameters on the performance of a morphing composite aerodynamic profile actuated by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires. A fully coupled electro-thermo-mechanical finite element model has been developed to simulate the transient response of NiTi SMA, capturing the nonlinear interplay between temperature evolution, phase transformation, and mechanical deformation under Joule heating. The model incorporates phase-dependent material properties, heat effects, and geometric constraints, enabling accurate prediction of actuation dynamics. To validate the model, a morphing spoiler prototype has been fabricated using high-performance additive manufacturing with a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. The SMA wires have been pretensioned and electrically actuated at different current levels (3 A and 6 A), and the resulting deformation has been recorded through video analysis with embedded timers. Experimental measurements confirmed the model’s ability to predict both actuation time and displacement, with maximum deflections of 33 mm and 40 mm corresponding to different current inputs. This integrated approach demonstrates an efficient and compact solution for active aerodynamic surfaces without the need for mechanical linkages, enabling future developments in adaptive structures for automotive and aerospace applications.