SINGLE STEP SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY EXPANSION

摘要

Exposing nitinol to a shape setting temperature while the nitinol is in an unstrained or minimally strained condition. The nitinol is then substantially deformed in shape while at elevated temperature. After deformation, the nitinol remains at the elevated temperature for a time to shape set the material. The nitinol is then returned to approximately room temperature 20° C. by means of water quenching or air cooling for example.

主权项

1. A method of forming a shape memory alloy (SMA) article, comprising:
providing a SMA article having an initial shape having an initial size, said SMA having a shape setting temperature; heating the SMA article to about said shape setting temperature; deforming the SMA article while at about its shape setting temperature to a final shape that is at least twice in size as the initial size; and cooling the SMA article while being constrained thereby substantially retaining said final shape.