Recent progress in the application of SMA thin ribbons for fire/heat sensing

Abstract
More than ten years we produce thin ribbons of shape memory TiNi-based alloys by melt spinning and planar flow casting techniques and last seven years manufacture a number of thermosensitive devices, including thermal relays, thermal regulators for temperature control, fire/heat sensitive detectors. For these years annual production of the devices grew from several thousand up to about two million pieces. Using thin ribbon makes it possible to provide the following sensors features : miniature dimensions, high speed of response, wide range of switching temperatures, low switching temperature error, the guaranteed number of operation cycles more than 104. Designs and some characteristics of developed and produced devices are presented.