Shape memory alloys (SMA) are materials that have the ability to return to a former shape when subjected to an appropriate thermomechanical procedure. Pseudoelastic and shape memory effects are some of the behaviors presented by these alloys. The unique properties concerning these alloys have encouraged many investigators to look for applications of SMA in different fields of human knowledge. The purpose of this review article is to present a brief discussion of the thermomechanical behavior of SMA and to describe their most promising applications in the biomedical area. These include cardiovascular and orthopedic uses, and surgical instruments.

The remarkable properties of shape memory alloys have facilitated their applications in many areas of technology. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of thermomechanical behavior of these alloys, discussing the main constitutive models for their mathematical description. Metallurgical features and engineering applications are addressed as an introduction. Afterwards, five phenomenological theories are presented. In general, these models capture the general thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloys, characterized by pseudoelasticity, shape memory effect, phase transformation phenomenon due to temperature variation, and internal subloops due to incomplete phase transformations.