Method for the Production of Semi-finished Products from NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention presents a method for producing semi-finished products from shape memory alloys, particularly nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys. The process starts by creating a shape memory alloy powder, which is then separated into fine and coarse fractions. The fine fraction is used in metal injection molding (MIM) to make one type of semi-finished product, while the coarse fraction, which is often unused in standard processes, is utilized for another type using hot isostatic pressing (HIP). This dual approach maximizes material use and improves cost-effectiveness.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Manufacturing of medical implants such as stents or rings using NiTi shape memory alloys.
• Production of precision components for actuators and sensors in robotics and automation.
• Creation of advanced materials for aerospace and automotive industries that require high-performance, dense, and defect-free metallic parts.
• Development of construction components (e.g., smart concrete sensors) using shape memory alloys for structural health monitoring.
• Production of components from ternary or quaternary NiTi alloys that are otherwise difficult to process by traditional means.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Efficient use of both fine and coarse alloy powder fractions, reducing material waste and overall costs.
• Enables high quality, dense, and homogeneously alloyed semi-finished products with minimal defects.
• Supports manufacturing of NiTi and more complex alloys (with added elements) that are hard to shape through conventional methods.
• Allows both injection molding and hot isostatic pressing, offering flexibility for different part requirements.
• Improves cost-effectiveness of producing precision shape memory alloy components for demanding applications, such as medical implants.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing semi-finished products from a shape memory alloy, particularly a NiTi shape memory alloy, wherein first a powder is produced from a shape memory alloy, and subsequently the powder is divided into a coarse fraction and a fine fraction in a separating cut T. While the fine fraction is required in particular for the production of a first semi-finished product, employing the metal injection molding (MIM) method, the coarse fraction can be used for the production of a second semi-finished product, employing the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) method. The advantages of the invention can be summarized as follows. The MIM method for producing semi-finished products from a shape memory alloy is qualitatively improved and more cost-effective to implement if the coarse fraction that is typically obtained during powder production, but not used for the MIM process, can advantageously be supplied to a further process, in this case the HIP process. Due to the use of particularly fine powder, the semi-finished products produced by way of the MIM method have an advantageous, powder-metallurgical microstructure. In particular, the alloying elements are distributed particularly homogeneously in said semi-finished products, usually no casting flaws or segregations take place, no anisotropy of the structure takes place as a result of the processing steps, and ternary alloys can be processed, which due to their mechanical properties cannot be processed by way of conventional forming methods.