Manufacturing and processing of NiTi implants: A review

NiTi is categorized as a shape memory alloy that found interesting applications in vast areas of engineering from aerospace to biomedical; the latter applications are due to its biocompatibility in addition to its unique properties. The unique properties such as shape memory and pseudoelasticity make NiTi an excellent candidate in many functional designs. However, the manufacturing and processing complications of this alloy pose impediments to widespread applications. This paper discusses challenges and opportunities in making NiTi parts for biomedical applications such as implants. To this end, common manufacturing processes for NiTi from casting and powder metallurgy to machining are discussed. Also, new opportunities in additive manufacturing processes such as laser and electron beam techniques towards making 3D components from NiTi are described. Finally, the challenges in heat treatment and shape-setting of NiTi parts in order to attain desired shape memory properties are reviewed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.