Fastening of shape memory hook arrays

Abstract
Shape memory (SM) fasteners based on the SM effect are already well-known applications. However, it has just been recently that NiTi hook arrays working as probabilistic fasteners were fabricated. Similarly to Velcrotype fasteners our fasteners are releasable with hooks returning back to their original shape after releasing. NiTi hooks may be incorporated into textiles and function in the same manner as Velcro fasteners do or they may be incorporated into a rigid substrate. The main objective of our research is twofold: First, we would like to show the influence of the material properties and geometry parameters of pseudoelastic NiTi micro-hooks on the interlocking force necessary for releasing the NiTi hook connection. Secondly, we show a method for aligning of the micro-hooks into an array and attaching them to a substrate.