Effect of Heat Treatment Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Custom-Made NiTi Closed Coil Springs

Abstract

To investigate the effects of different temperatures for heat treatment of custom-made NiTi closed coil springs. NiTi closed coil springs (50.8% Ni-49.2%Ti) were manually fabricated around a 0.9mm diameter mandrel and heat treated at temperatures of 400°C, 450°C, and 500°C for 20 minutes. The outer diameter of each specimen was measured to determine the effect of heat treatment temperature on spring geometry. Tensile tests were carried out to measure the force levels at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm of spring extension. Non-parametric statistical analyses were done to assess and compare the effects of different temperatures of heat treatment on the custom-made orthodontic closed coil springs. Heat treatment at lower temperatures produced larger outer coil diameters than at higher temperatures. Raising the temperature of heat treatment produced significant increases in force levels by 13-18 g especially between 400°C and 500°C at spring extensions of 3, 6 and 9 mm. The highest superelastic ratio of 5.44 was found in the NiTi coil springs that were heat treatment at 500°C for 20 minutes which signifies superelastic tendencies. The mechanical properties of NiTi closed coil springs are influenced by the temperature of heat treatment. The NiTi closed coil springs that were heat treated at 500°C for 20 minutes produce appropriate force levels to display a superelastic tendency for orthodontic use.