Investigation of Superelastic NiTi Surface by Mechano-Electrochemical Methods

From a scientific point of view, the random cracking and unknown durability of superelastic NiTi implants in body fluids introduced above represents an interesting, practically important and currently very actual problem [1, 2]. We cannot solve the problem now, since we do not understand the mechano-electrochemical reactions at the elastically or superelastically strained metal/liquid interface (Fig 1a). To achieve this, we introduced since 2015 dedicated in-situ mechano-electrochemical methods allow us to deeper understanding of strain modulated electro-catalytic surface-bound reactions (Fig 1b). From the applied research point of view, the mechano-electrochemical methods are the best way to comprehensively characterize the fatigue life in liquids.

1. Characterization of engineered NiTi wire surfaces
2. Potentiostatically controlled surface bound reactions toward fatigue performance

Mechano-elctrochemical methods provide excellent results in both applied and basic research in the field of environmental fatigue and surface finish of superelastic NiTi alloy.

Outcomes of methods in all complexity share intriguing possibilities into the applications of medical implants and actuators.