Nickel-titanium-rare earth alloy and method of processing the alloy
US8440031B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22F1/183
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy comprises nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, boron at a concentration of up to about 0.1 at. %, with the balance of the alloy being titanium. In addition to enhanced radiopacity compared to binary Ni—Ti alloys and improved workability, the Ni—Ti-RE alloy preferably exhibits superelastic behavior. A method of processing a Ni—Ti-RE alloy includes providing a nickel-titanium-rare earth alloy comprising nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, the balance being titanium; heating the alloy in a homogenization temperature range below a critical temperature; and forming spheroids of a rare earth-rich second phase in the alloy while in the homogenization temperature range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.