Structural and functional properties of NiTi shape memory alloys produced by Selective Laser Melting

摘要

Generally, processing of Nickel-Titanium shape memory alloys (NiTi) is challenging because functional and structural properties of this material strongly depend on microstructural features. In the present work we demonstrate that Selective Laser Melting (SLM) represents an attractive alternative to conventional processing routes for NiTi. For the first time, we present mechanical data of SLM NiTi and identify similarities to conventional NiTi. Both materials show a similar functional behavior during thermomechanical cyclingwhereas fracture strength and fracture strains of SLM NiTi are slightly lower. Thus, SLM is a promising method for the near-net-shape processing of NiTi shape memory alloys.