One of the most useful alloys utilized for different purposes is nickel titanium, otherwise known as Nitinol. It has numerous and unique properties that are beneficial for medical applications. Nitinol is a metal alloy that offers excellent elasticity and pseudo elasticity, as well as shape memory properties. This last property refers to the metal’s unique capacity to recall its original shape, thus demonstrating impressive elasticity even if put under stress. The proportion of nickel and titanium elements is at an approximately equal atomic ratio. Since producing Nitinol is quite a concern due to the carcinogenic content that can be generated, strict compliance must be observed.
Moreover, titanium is also highly reactive, making the production of nickel titanium alloy much more challenging. With these obstacles in preparing the alloy, recycling its scrap is highly encouraged. The two major methods used in melting this alloy include the vacuum arc re-melting and vacuum induction melting.
Under the method of vacuum arc re-melting, an electrical arc is used which is struck between a copper plate and the raw material. In order to eliminate carbon introduction, it is the water-cooled copper mould that is employed to melt the ingredients. On the other hand, raw materials are heat treated through a carbon crucible with the use of alternating magnetic fields during vacuum induction melting. This process of melting is done through a high vacuum but carbon might be introduced in this method of producing nickel titanium.
Though both methods are very different, it can’t be understood which one is better than the other in terms of the kind of quality of the product they create. Each of them has a set of unique benefits to offer. Other technologies such as plasma arc melting, e-beam melting, and skull melting are also employed to melt materials to produce nickel titanium alloy.
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