Self-adaptive, ultra-low elastic modulus shape memory alloys
AssigneeThe Texas A&M University System
InventorsJi Ma, Ibrahim Karaman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of manufacturing biocompatible, corrosion resistant, self-adaptive, shape-memory titanium-based alloys by using specific ranges of elements in the alloy. Subsequent to melting, the alloy may undergo heat treating, thermo-mechanically processing, and training. Subsequent to training, the alloy has an ultra-low elastic modulus and exhibits self-adaptive, superelastic behavior.
Claims28
A method of making a shape-memory alloy comprising:
- (a) melting titanium (Ti) and niobium (Nb) to form an alloy:
- (b) heat treating the alloy formed in (a);
- (c) thermo-mechanically processing the alloy:
- and
- (d) training the alloy via a plurality of deformation cycles to reduce an effective modulus of elasticit of the alloy below 30.0 GPa wherein (d) occurs after (c), and wherein (d) comprises cyclically subjecting the alloy to a 1-3% strain at a temperature between about 20° C. (68° F.) and about 50° C. (122° F.).
A method of manufacturing a corrosion resistant, shape-memory alloy comprising:
- (a) melting titanium (Ti) and nickel (Ni) to form the alloy;
- (b) heat treating the alloy using a first heat treat process;
- (c) thermo-mechanically processing the alloy;
- and
- (d) training the alloy via a plurality of deformation cycles to obtain an effective modulus of elasticity less than 40 GPa.
A method of manufacturing a corrosion resistant, shape-memory alloy comprising:
- (a) melting titanium (Ti) and nickel (Ni) to form the alloy;
- (b) heat treating the alloy using a first heat treat process;
- (c) thermo-mechanically processing the alloy;
- and
- (d) training the alloy, to obtain an effective modulus of elasticity less than 40 GPa, wherein training the alloy comprises cyclically loading the alloy to 1-5% strain at a temperature between about 20° C. and about 50° C.
A method of making a shape-memory alloy comprising:
- (a) melting titanium (Ti) and niobium (Nb) to form an alloy;
- (b) heat treating the alloy formed in (a);
- (c) thermo-mechanically processing the alloy;
- and
- (d) training the alloy, wherein, subsequent to training, the alloy has an effective modulus of elasticity less than 30.0 GPa, wherein training the alloy occurs after (c), and wherein training the alloy comprises cyclically subjecting the alloy to a 1-3% strain at a temperature between about 20° C. (68° F.) and about 50° C. (122° F.).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.