Surface treatment of shape memory alloys
US5863360A · kind A · utility
63Cited by
3References
13Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC21D2201/01
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of treatment of a shape memory alloy involves shot peening of the alloy sample, thereby causing a crystal to amorphous transition of a surface layer of the sample without substantially affecting bulk characteristics of the material, particularly its shape memory behavior and biocompatibility. The method may be used for surface hardening and to reduce coefficients of friction. The method may be advantageously used for treating tissue sutures and orthodontic devices such as dental archwires.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.