re-Fer AG

A Shape memory alloy (SMA) is a type of smart material for many industrial application. Before 2009 SMA-applications used nickel and titanium as the main material, which are both very expensive compared to steel. Empa, the swiss federal laboratories for materials science and technology, developed a iron-based SMA. The new steel based SMA focused new kind of applications. The main focus was the construction industry. In 2009, Empa applied for the relevant patent EP2141251. Thanks to the low cost of the Fe-based SMA application in combination with concrete; the new technology became a very efficient option in the construction business.