Melting method for high-homogeneity precise-composition nickel-titanium alloys
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsDavid Goldstein, Scott Hoover
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Abstract
A method of producing homogeneous nickel-titanium base shape change memory lloys which includes the following steps in order: (1) converting a conventionally prepared nickel-titanium base shape change memory alloy into particles which are in the form of powder, shot, chips, or flakes; (2) blending or mixing the nickel-titanium base alloy particles; (3) melting the nickel-titanium base alloy particles; and (4) allowing the molten nickel-titanium base alloy to solidify into a desired shape.
Claims7
A method of preparing a highly homogeneous nickel-titanium base shape change memory alloy comprising the following steps in order:
- (1) converting a consumable electrode arc melt prepared nickel-titanium base shape change memory alloy into particles selected from the group consisting of powder, shot, chips, and flakes;
- (2) blending the nickel-titanium base alloy particles;
- (3) melting the nickel-titanium base particles;
- and
- (4) allowing the molten nickel-titanium base alloy to solidify into a desired shape.
A method of preparing a nickel-titanium base shape change memory alloy having a desired shape change transition temperature range (TTR) comprising:
- (1) blending particles of a first nickel-titanium base alloy having a TTR above the desired TTR with particles of a second nickel-titanium base alloy having a TTR below the desired TTR in a weighted proportion which will produce a third alloy having the desired TTR when the blended particles are melted;
- and
- (2) melting the blended particles to produce the third alloy;
- wherein the particles of the first alloy and the second alloy are selected from the group consisting of powder, shot, chips, and flakes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.