Nickel titanium is a strong and durable metal with shape memory and high elasticity, making it useful for medical devices and other applications. Its manufacturing process is complex and expensive. It is an alloy of two metals that can maintain its shape even under stress. However, nickel is a known allergen and may be carcinogenic, causing concern among some advocates. Biocompatibility researchers generally consider it safe for medical use.
Nickel titanium is a highly durable and strong metal with numerous medical and other applications. Its key properties are shape memory and high elasticity, which may make it useful for environments where other metals might crack. This metal can be complicated to produce and requires special facilities to control its quality and purity. The sophisticated manufacturing process used can make nickel titanium products more expensive than those made from other metals.
This is an example of an alloy, a blend of two or more metals that combines their unique characteristics to develop a product with specific desired characteristics. In the case of nickel titanium, when the metals are combined under controlled conditions, they develop a very high elasticity. Metal can bend and flex easily without cracking or breaking, maintaining this characteristic in both cold and hot conditions. This can be extremely useful for things like medical devices, which may need to take considerable strain without failing.
In addition to being very elastic, this metal has an excellent shape memory. This means that after bending, it will return to its previous shape and can maintain it through numerous bending sessions. This allows manufacturers to create products that will maintain their integrity over time, even under stress. For devices like surgical stents used to open blood vessels, these two traits are essential. The flex prevents damage to the blood vessel, while the shape memory keeps the stent open even after it has been compressed.
Manufacturers of nickel titanium must process it in a vacuum and tightly control the temperature to bring out the desired metal characteristics. Once the alloy is ready, it can be made into products such as surgical implants and medical instruments. It can also be used for the production of metal components used in a wide variety of other environments where people need a strong, light and flexible metal that can hold its shape under adverse conditions. Manufacturers can make sheet, coiled wire, and other base materials for smaller companies and individuals to work with in the production of custom components.
The widespread use of nickel titanium in the medical community has been a cause for concern among some advocates. Nickel is a known allergen and some research suggests it may also be carcinogenic, making it less than ideal for introduction into the human body. Biocompatibility researchers who review materials to determine whether they can be used safely in a medical setting believe nickel titanium is generally safe, although there may be some special circumstances where it is not appropriate.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
