| Summary: | Over last ten years, we have carried out extensive research on the use of thin NiTi wires for advanced functional textiles. In this work we discuss general challenges and opportunities in the design, production and processing of NiTi textiles stemming from the fact that NiTi is martensitically transforming metal. As a case example, application of weft knitting technology to NiTi wires is discussed in detail covering technological aspects related to textile processing, shape setting as well as multiaxial thermomechanical properties of final products. Finally, two weft knitted NiTi textile proof-of-concepts with a promising application potential are presented. First, a textile based actuator with large strokes and low forces characteristics is introduced. Second, 3D textiles with temperature-adaptive cross-section height for applications in technical or protective textiles are described.
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