The tensile strength of Nitinol alloys can reach 1000 mpa. That is to say, a section as small as one square millimeter needs more than 100 dry grams of force to pull it off, stronger than the average steel, and with good "memory" and corrosion resistance. Nickel and titanium are mixed in proper proportion to form a Nitinol alloy. Known for its unique shape memory properties -- the ability to remember and recover a specified shape after being exposed to a predetermined temperature after deformation -- the alloy is revolutionizing the way medical devices and other high-performance industries manufacture next-generation solutions.
Nitinol alloy contains 50 percent nickel and 50 percent titanium, that is, half nickel and half titanium. Its shape memory temperature range can be adjusted by controlling the components. In general, the higher the nickel content of Nitinol alloys, the lower the operating temperature. Memory alloys work at room temperature when containing 55% nickel and 45% titanium. People have made use of this feature of memory alloy, made of memory alloy wire into pearl necklaces and bracelets, as well as the use of memory alloy wire woven bra. These adornment and health care article wear on the body, can be in human body temperature action to restore original curvature and stiffness, have adornment and health care effect thereby. In addition, Nitinol alloy can also be used to make orthodontic wire, the use of people's oral temperature to correct malformed teeth.
Superelastic Nitinol alloys are commonly used in medical devices. The phase transition temperatures of each superelastic class ranged from -15°C to 22°C [5°F to 71.6°F].
Shape memory Nitinol alloys are commonly used in actuators and other industrial applications. Most shape memory grades have phase transition temperatures between 22°C and 80°C [71.6°F to 176°F], while others have phase transition temperatures higher than 85°C [185°F].
