Understanding the deformation and fracture of nitinol endovascular stents using in situ synchrotron X-ray microdiffraction

Endovascular stents manufactured from superelastic Nitinol represent a major component in the fight against heart disease. However, accurate characterization of the stress/strain distributions, which govern the deformation and fracture behavior in such stents, is essential for their prolonged safe use in human arteries. Here we report the first direct synchrotron X-ray microdiffraction measurements of the local strain field (see figure) of a stent-like Nitinol component subjected to realistic multiaxial loading.