Additive manufacturing of NiTi shape memory alloy and its industrial applications

Abstract

NiTi shape memory alloys are the prime choice for many engineering and biomedical applications due to their unique response to environmental/external stimuli. The capability of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to additively manufacture high-quality density NiTi alloy with intricate geomaterial configuration, good surface quality, and chemical homogeneity makes the LPBF process the preferred choice among other additive manufacturing (AM) methods for manufacturing the NiTi alloy. The AM process parameters have a decisive effect on the functional and mechanical properties of NiTi alloy. There is a need to understand the resultant effect of the interrelationship between the process parameters on the final NiTi additive manufactured structures. The inherent high rate of melting and cooling of the LPBF process resulting in high internal stress could cause adverse effects such as cracks and Ni-loss which are detrimental to the phase transformation temperature of the NiTi alloy. Despite the current challenges, the literature reveals that LPBF NiTi components demonstrated functional and mechanical properties according to the ASTM standard and have been used widely for biomedical applications due to its stress-strain hysteresis, which is similar to bone tissues. The alloy is also used extensively for high-value engineering applications such as the automotive and aerospace industries due to its actuation properties.