Table 8.

Comparative analysis of shape memory materials by exploring the properties and applications of SMAs, SMPs, and EAPs.

Property	SMAs	SMPs	EAPs
Material type	Metal alloys	Polymers	Polymers
Response mechanism	Temperature-driven	Temperature-driven	Electrically-driven
Actuation speed	Fast	Moderate to fast	Fast
Reversibility	Fully reversible	Fully or partially reversible	Fully reversible
Applications	Biomedical devices, aerospace components	Biomedical applications, soft robotics	Robotics, artificial muscles, haptic devices
Cost	Relatively high	Moderate	Moderate to high