Damping Factors and Fatigue Notch Factors of Pseudoelastic NiTi‐Shape Memory Alloys

Pseudoelastic NiTi‐ shape memory alloys (SMAs) provide a high damping capacity and can be used in order to achieve a reduction of peak loads being caused by unexpected shock loading. These “pseudoelastic” properties are related to the formation of martensite M from austenite A, which has been induced by stress; they allow to refer to SMAs as functional materials. Furthermore, these functional materials can operate at high stresses and thus, have to withstand severe mechanical loadings like classical structural materials. In combination, these characteristics provide opportunities for technical applications, e.g., to reduce vibrations or to reduce peak loads caused by shock loading. An extensive knowledge of the functional and structural fatigue behaviour of the material is required to design SMA components. NiTi hollow shaft samples and solid shaft samples have been tested under cyclic torsional loading conditions in a load‐controlled mode. By using these two geometries the influence of the sample geometry on the fatigue behaviour can be investigated. In addition, a test programme has been elaborated in order to investigate the behaviour of the material when subjected to bending. The experimental data have been evaluated describing the transformation behaviour induced by stress concerning transformation stress, apparent shear modulus of the austenite G_A and apparent stiffness τ_Ms (describing the slope of the shear stress‐strain‐curve in the transformation range G_A‐M). These parameters naturally depend on the cycle number, the load amplitude as well as the temperature. Engineering failures are often associated with the presence of notches. In this context, torsion tests on notched samples are planned to be carried out in order to assess the resulting data based on the results obtained from the notch free samples. This will allow to derive simple design rules based on fatigue notch factors, which are needed for engineering design.     

Micromechanics of Tension‐Compression Asymmetry of Polycrystalline Shape‐Memory‐Alloys

The asymmetry associated with martensitic transformations observed in tension/compression experiments of shape‐memory‐alloys (SMAs) is investigated on the basis of a recently suggested micromechanical model. The approach is based on crystallographic theory and utilizes a framework of energy minimization in a finite deformation context. Polycrystalline NiTi under tension demonstrates smaller phase‐transformation start‐strain, differe phase‐transformation stress‐levels and flatter phase‐transformation stress‐strain slopes than that under compression in our numerical simulation. The phase‐transformation start‐stress is followed to have a linear relationship with respect to the temperature within a certain range. These results agree well with experimental results reported in the literature.     

Drilling of NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

The machinability of NiTi based shape memory alloys has been examined by conducting drilling experiments. For this reason the cutting parameters cutting speed and feed were varied within a wide range. The machining process was evaluated in terms of tool wear, cutting forces and machining quality. The tool wear was analysed with a scanning electron microscope and the influence of machining on the subsurface zone was evaluated by micro hardness measurements.     

The effect of grain orientation on the tensile‐compressive asymmetry of polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloy

The purpose of the present study is to thoroughly understand the influence of crystallographic texture on the stress‐strain asymmetric behavior of polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloy under tension and compression. To do this, a 3D thermo‐mechanical model has been implemented in a finite element program and textured and untextured polycrystalline NiTi have been considered. In our polycrystalline finite element model, each element represents one grain and a set of crystal orientations which approximate the initial crystallographic texture of the NiTi are assigned to the elements. From the calculated results, it is found that the crystallographic texture is the important reason for the tension‐compression asymmetry. For the textured polycrystal, the tension‐compression asymmetry can be observed clearly, but for the polycrystal containing randomly oriented grains, the stress‐strain curves show low levers of asymmetry between tensile and compressive loading, and the evolutions of martensite volume fractions are similar under two stress states.     

High‐Temperature Shape Memory Effect in Ti‐Ta Thin Films Sputter Deposited at Room Temperature

Ti‐Ta based alloys are potential high‐temperature shape memory materials with operation temperatures above 100 °C. In this study, the room temperature fabrication of Ti‐Ta thin films showing a reversible martensitic transformation and a high temperature shape memory effect above 200 °C is reported. In contrast to other shape memory thin films, no further heat treatment is necessary to obtain the functional properties. A disordered α″ martensite (orthorhombic) phase is formed in the as‐deposited co‐sputtered Ti₇₀Ta₃₀, Ti₆₈Ta₃₂ and Ti₆₇Ta₃₃ films, independent of the substrate. A Ti₇₀Ta₃₀ free‐standing film shows a reversible martensitic transformation, as confirmed by temperature–dependent XRD measurements during thermal cycling between 125 °C to 275 °C. Furthermore, a one‐way shape memory effect is qualitatively confirmed in this film. The observed properties of the Ti‐Ta thin films make them promising for applications on polymer substrates and especially in microsystem technologies.     

Bending rotation HCF testing of pseudoelastic Ni‐Ti shape memory alloys

In the present work, a computer‐controlled test rig for simultaneous fatigue testing of several pseudoelastic NiTi wires through bending rotation is described. Bending rotation fatigue (BRF) testing represents a displacement‐controlled experiment where a straight wire is bent into a semi‐circle und forced to rotate around its axis. Thus, each point on the wire surface is subjected to alternating tension and compression. A test rig, which allows to control loading amplitudes, rotation frequencies and temperatures is described. We report preliminary results of an experimental program, which aims for a better understanding of fatigue lives, crack initiation, and crack growth in pseudoelastic NiTi wires. It was found that a good surface quality is of utmost importance to avoid early crack initiation. Wöhler curves of pseudoelastic NiTi wires typically show two different regimes depending on the maximum imposed surface strain during bending rotation fatigue testing. Larger strain amplitudes, which are associated with macroscopic formation of stress‐induced martensite, result in relatively low fatigue lives (LCF regime). In contrast, cycle numbers exceeding 10⁷ were obtained for strain amplitudes where no large scale stress‐induced formation of martensite occurred (HCF regime).     

High‐Entropy Alloys: Potential Candidates for High‐Temperature Applications – An Overview

Multi‐principal elemental alloys, commonly referred to as high‐entropy alloys (HEAs), are a new class of emerging advanced materials with novel alloy design concept. Unlike the design of conventional alloys, which is based on one or at most two principal elements, the design of HEA is based on multi‐principal elements in equal or near‐equal atomic ratio. The advent of HEA has revived the alloy design perception and paved the way to produce an ample number of compositions with different combinations of promising properties for a variety of structural applications. Among the properties possessed by HEAs, sluggish diffusion and strength retention at elevated temperature have caught wide attention. The need to develop new materials for high‐temperature applications with superior high‐temperature properties over superalloys has been one of the prime concerns of the high‐temperature materials research community. The current article shows that HEAs have the potential to replace Ni‐base superalloys as the next generation high‐temperature materials. This review focuses on the phase stability, microstructural stability, and high‐temperature mechanical properties of HEAs. This article will be highly beneficial for materials engineering and science community whose interest is in the development and understanding of HEAs for high‐temperature applications.     

PM‐Composites with Nickel‐Titanium Shape Memory Alloys

Starting from NiTi‐powders, composites of nickel‐titanium shape memory alloys (NiTi‐SMA) and different stainless steels as well as of different NiTi‐SMAs were produced by using the process of hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Metallographic investigations focussed on the interface between NiTi‐SMA and stainless steel with special emphasis placed on the characterization of the typical structure of the diffusion zones in both components.     

NiTi shape memory alloys coated with calcium phosphate by plasma‐spraying. Chemical and biological properties

Plates of superelastic nickel‐titanium shape memory alloy (NiTi) were coated with calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) by high‐temperature plasma‐spraying. The porous layer of about 100 μm thickness showed a good adhesion to the metallic substrate that withstood bending of the plate but detached upon cutting the plate. The biocompatibility was tested by cultivation of blood cells (whole blood and isolated granulocytes [a subpopulation of blood leukocytes]). As substrates, pure NiTi, plasma‐spray‐coated NiTi and calcium phosphate‐coated NiTi prepared by a dip‐coating process were used. The adhesion of whole blood cells to all materials was not significantly different. In contrast, isolated granulocytes showed an increased adhesion to both calcium phosphate‐coated NiTi samples. However, compared to non‐coated NiTi or dip‐coated NiTi, the number of dead granulocytes adherent to plasma‐sprayed surfaces was significantly increased for isolated granulocytes (p<0.01).     

On the electropolishing of NiTi braided stents – challenges and solutions

Nickel Titanium (NiTi) alloys possess special mechanical properties and good biocompatibility hence used as base material for the production of vascular stents. Normally, vascular stents are machined from NiTi tubes, using laser cutting processes. Braiding is a promising alternative for the machining of certain NiTi stents. However, a surface finish treatment, such as electropolishing of the braided stents, is still required in order to achieve a medical‐grade surface finish. The thermally‐grown oxide resulting from the shape‐setting heat treatment, following the braiding must be removed. Moreover, electropolishing is required to achieve optimum corrosion resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to find suitable parameters for the effective electropolishing of NiTi textile stents. Electropolishing of a device with such a complex geometry is challenging, hence a custom‐designed electrolytic cell was constructed and used in this study. We examined the stent surfaces before and after electropolishing, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Potentiodynamic tests were performed in NaCl 0.9% solution for as‐received and electropolished samples. The results from the present study indicate an improvement in surface quality of the braided stents after electropolishing. Potentiodynamic tests revealed that electropolishing improves the corrosion resistance of the NiTi stents.     

Development of a Shape‐Memory Tube to Prevent Vascular Stenosis

Inserting a graft into vessels with different diameters frequently causes severe damage to the host vessels. Poor flow patency is an unresolved issue in grafts, particularly those with diameters less than 6 mm, because of vessel occlusion caused by disturbed blood flow following fast clotting. Herein, successful patency in the deployment of an ≈2 mm diameter graft into a porcine vessel is reported. A new library of property‐tunable shape‐memory polymers that prevent vessel damage by expanding the graft diameter circumferentially upon implantation is presented. The polymers undergo seven consecutive cycles of strain energy‐preserved shape programming. Moreover, the new graft tube, which features a diffuser shape, minimizes disturbed flow formation and prevents thrombosis because its surface is coated with nitric‐oxide‐releasing peptides. Improved patency in a porcine vessel for 18 d is demonstrated while occlusive vascular remodeling occurs. These insights will help advance vascular graft design.     

Processing and property assessment of NiTi and NiTiCu shape memory actuator springs

Among the multifarious engineering applications of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs), their use in actuator applications stands out. In actuator applications, where the one‐way effect (1WE) of NiTi SMAs is exploited, SM components are often applied as helical coil springs. Ingots are generally used as starting materials for the production of springs. But before SM actuator springs can be manufactured, the processing of appropriate wires from NiTi ingots poses a challenge because cold and hot working of NiTi SMAs strongly affect microstructure, and it is well known that the functional properties of NiTi SMAs are strongly dependent on their microstructure. The objective of the present paper is therefore to produce binary Ni₅₀Ti₅₀ and ternary Ni₄₀Ti₅₀Cu₁₀ SMA actuator springs, starting from ingots produced by vacuum induction melting. From these ingots springs are produced using swaging, rolling, wire drawing and a shape‐constraining procedure in combination with appropriate heat treatments. The evolution of microstructure during processing is characterized and the mechanical properties of the wires prior to spring‐making are documented. The mechanical and functional characteristics of the wires are investigated in the stress‐strain‐temperature space. Finally, functional fatigue testing of actuator springs is briefly described and preliminary results for NiTi and NiTiCu actuator springs are reported.     

Laserstrahlschweißen von Mikrodrähten aus Nickel‐Titan‐Formgedächtnislegierungen und austenitischem Stahl

Laserwelding of microwires made of nickel‐titanium shape memory alloys and austenitic steel The special properties of nickel‐titanium shape memory alloys are currently used in micro engineering and medical technology. In order to integrate nickel‐titanium components into existing parts and modules, they often need to be joined to other materials. For this reason, the present contribution deals with the laser welding of thin pseudoelastic nickel‐titanium wires (100 μm) with a neodymium‐doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser. Based on extensive parameter studies, joints without defects were produced. This study deals with the microstructure in the fusion and heat‐affected zones, the performance of the joints in static tensile tests and their functional fatigue. It can be shown that nickel‐titanium/nickel‐titanium joints reach about 75 % of the ultimate tensile strength of pure nickel‐titanium wires. In case of welding nickel‐titanium to steel no interlayer was used. The dissimilar nickel‐titanium/steel joints provide a bonding strength in the fusion and heat‐affected zones higher than the plateau stress level. Nickel‐titanium/steel joints of thin wires, as a new aspect, enable the possibility to benefit from the pseudoelastic properties of the nickel‐titanium component.