Shape memory and superelastic alloy material "Nickel-Titanium alloy"

The origin of new materials with expanding applications.

This new material, which gained attention for its use in women's underwear, has seen slow development in applications despite its recognized performance due to constraints such as price and processability. Advances in cost reduction through rationalization and the development of processing technologies have led to its adoption in a wide range of fields, including mobile phone antenna elements, eyeglass frames, catheter guide wires, and fishing gear. It became famous for its shape memory effect, which allows it to return to a shape that has been "trained" when heated, but more products utilizing its superelastic properties, which allow it to return to its original shape like rubber even after deformation, have been developed. The temperature at which the shape memory effect occurs can be altered by slight differences in composition and heat treatment conditions. The material in a state where the memory is reproduced at room temperature is referred to as a superelastic alloy, while the material that remains soft and does not return to its original shape when bent at room temperature is called a shape memory alloy. Shape memory alloys also exhibit the same properties as superelastic alloys in high-temperature environments where the memory is reproduced. Currently, most of the products in use are wires, but ultra-thin tubes for catheters have now been able to be manufactured. For more details, please contact us or refer to the catalog.

Non-ferrous metals