A Review on Applications of Nitinol
Shape Memory Alloy
Rakesh Chaudhari, Jay J. Vora, and D. M. Parikh
Abstract Nickel-titanium alloys commonly called as nitinol, a shape memory alloy
(SMA), is recognized as next generation alloy has been widely used in many applications such as biomedical, actuators, aerospace, automotive, and MEMS devices.
Shape memory effect was found in various types of alloys. However, superelasticity,
biocompatibility, and exquisite properties of nitinol shape memory alloy have gained
a lot of popularity among these several combinations. Nitinol SMA is characterized
as smart material mainly due to capability of shape memory effect and superelasticity.
Unique properties of nitinol SMAs find its applications in fields of aerospace, heating
and ventilation, safety and security, automation and control, chemical processing,
electronics (MEMS devices) industries, automotive, appliance, and robotics. Due to
the functional properties of nitinol SMAs, their biomedical application has proven
to be more successful by increasing the possibility as well as the performance of
minimally invasive surgeries. The combination of nickel-titanium SMA is highly
biocompatible which makes them useful as orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, cardiovascular devices, and orthodontic devices. In current study, a detailed
review of various applications and possible key areas for shape memory alloys have
been discussed.
Keywords Nitinol · Shape memory alloy · Biomedical · Aerospace · Automotive
1 Introduction
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are considered as new generation alloys which display
a unique property of regaining their original shape after heating to its deformed
temperature [1]. The materials can also be trained to memorize different shapes
at different temperatures. Shape memory alloys were initially revealed by Swedish
physicist Arne Olander [2]. He found that Au–Cd alloys came back to its initial shape
R. Chaudhari (B) · J. J. Vora · D. M. Parikh
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar,
India
e-mail: chaudharirakesh5@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
A. K. Parwani et al. (eds.), Recent Advances in Mechanical Infrastructure,
Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4176-0_10
123
Shape Memory Alloy
Rakesh Chaudhari, Jay J. Vora, and D. M. Parikh
Abstract Nickel-titanium alloys commonly called as nitinol, a shape memory alloy
(SMA), is recognized as next generation alloy has been widely used in many applications such as biomedical, actuators, aerospace, automotive, and MEMS devices.
Shape memory effect was found in various types of alloys. However, superelasticity,
biocompatibility, and exquisite properties of nitinol shape memory alloy have gained
a lot of popularity among these several combinations. Nitinol SMA is characterized
as smart material mainly due to capability of shape memory effect and superelasticity.
Unique properties of nitinol SMAs find its applications in fields of aerospace, heating
and ventilation, safety and security, automation and control, chemical processing,
electronics (MEMS devices) industries, automotive, appliance, and robotics. Due to
the functional properties of nitinol SMAs, their biomedical application has proven
to be more successful by increasing the possibility as well as the performance of
minimally invasive surgeries. The combination of nickel-titanium SMA is highly
biocompatible which makes them useful as orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, cardiovascular devices, and orthodontic devices. In current study, a detailed
review of various applications and possible key areas for shape memory alloys have
been discussed.
Keywords Nitinol · Shape memory alloy · Biomedical · Aerospace · Automotive
1 Introduction
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are considered as new generation alloys which display
a unique property of regaining their original shape after heating to its deformed
temperature [1]. The materials can also be trained to memorize different shapes
at different temperatures. Shape memory alloys were initially revealed by Swedish
physicist Arne Olander [2]. He found that Au–Cd alloys came back to its initial shape
R. Chaudhari (B) · J. J. Vora · D. M. Parikh
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar,
India
e-mail: chaudharirakesh5@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
A. K. Parwani et al. (eds.), Recent Advances in Mechanical Infrastructure,
Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4176-0_10
123