Abstract: Thermoelastic martensitic transformations represent a unique collection of martensitic transformations that provide the working mechanisms for a range of functional materials. Such transformations present a unique thermodynamic system, whose basic principles apply to a wider spectrum of solid-state transformations, including processes such as magnetoelastic, electroelastic and optoelastic transformations. Owing to their unique ability to produce a mechanical work output, these transformation systems have great potential to serve as functional materials in a range of innovative designs as actuators and sensors. Understanding the thermodynamic laws governing these phenomena is of both fundamental significance for the understanding and characterization of the behaviour of these systems and practical importance as designing tools for the development of functional devices. This paper attempts to present a concise overview of the thermodynamic theories developed in the past few decades largely on typical examples of thermoelastic and magnetoelastic martensitic transformations in shape memory alloys.

Key words: Martensitic transformations, Shape memory alloys...