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	40 Inventive Principles Phase Transitions

Use phenomena accompanying the phase transitions of a substance, e.g. the emission or absorption of heat energy, volume changes, etc.

EXAMPLE:

To hermetically seal a joint of different cross-sectional areas, the section to be sealed is filled with a low melting-point metal. During its solidification, the metal expands and assures a hermetic seal. Many mechanical constructions use the shape memory effect of metals – a property that some alloys (e.g. nickel titanium) possess. After deformation these alloys can return to their original shape when heated to a certain temperature: pipe connections, thermo-mechanical actuators, shock absorbers etc.