J. E. Schaffer, Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corporation, Fort Wayne, IN
The ability to quickly generate physical material data for a new concepts is critical to medical device research and development. Here, a new NiTi ternary alloy was designed and the process conceived for medical device applications. Small scale laboratory melting combined with innovative low-energy processing allowed manufacture from a small <500 gram ingot to 100 µm fine wire form within 12 weeks. Physical wire property data including electron microscopy, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance are presented for the new material.
Summary: Wire production from melt to finish form of a new alloy is expensive in terms of time and monetary investment. A new alloy was designed and the process conceived for medical device applications. Here, small scale laboratory melting combined with innovative low-energy processing allowed processing from a small <500 gram ingot to 100 µm fine wire within 12 weeks.
