Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of smart multifunctional material. Ability to change shape and other special properties make them material of choice for actuation systems across various industries including aerospace, biomedical, construction, automotive applications, amongst others.
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What can shape-memory alloys be used for in the future?
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of smart multifunctional material. Ability to change shape and other special properties make them material of choice for actuation systems across various industries including aerospace, biomedical, construction, automotive applications, amongst others.
Which shape memory effect is commonly used for biomedical devices?
The most important alloy used in biomedical applications is NiTi. This alloy combines the characteristics of the shape memory effect and superelasticity with excellent corrosion resistance, wear characteristics, mechanical properties and a good biocompatibility.
What are the practical applications of the shape-memory alloys?
Apart from the flexible spectacle frames mentioned above, they can be used in bioengineering applications such as dental wires such as those used in dental braces, mending broken bones using metal plates, and for medical devices that help open clogged veins and arteries.
Which alloys are used in biomedical applications?
Titanium alloys are frequently used for biomedical purposes such as dental and orthopedic implants and other devices such as plates and screws because they have a favorable set of properties including good biocompatibility, resistance to corrosion and wear, excellent mechanical properties, and good osseointegration1,2.
What are the benefits of shape memory polymers and shape changing polymers?
Because shape memory polymers can respond to temperature, light, pH and moisture, there are many very interesting possibilities for these materials in fabrics. These include comfort, aesthetics, wound monitoring, protection against environmental conditions, smart controlled drug release, and more.
What is special about shape-memory alloys?
Shape memory alloys are a unique class of alloys that have ability to ‘remember’ their shape and are able to return to that shape even after being bent. At a low temperature, a SMA can be seemingly plastically deformed, but this ‘plastic’ strain can be recovered by increasing the temperature.
What is an example of a shape memory alloy?
The two most prevalent shape-memory alloys are copper-aluminium-nickel and nickel-titanium (NiTi), but SMAs can also be created by alloying zinc, copper, gold and iron.
What is the significance of shape memory alloys and its application in the selection of material?
One of the advantages to using shape-memory alloys is the high level of recoverable plastic strain that can be induced. The maximum recoverable strain these materials can hold without permanent damage is up to 8% for some alloys. This compares with a maximum strain 0.5% for conventional steels.
What are the biomedical applications of Nitinol?
Biomedical applications that utilize Nitinol include stents, heart valve tools, bone anchors, staples, septal defect devices and implants. It is a commonly used biomaterial especially in the development of stent technology.
What metal is used for medical implants?
Aluminum is used as a major alloying element with titanium for orthopedic applications. The ceramics used in orthopedic implants also contain aluminum oxide and calcium phosphates. Chromium is used in cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys. It is known for imparting corrosion resistance to the alloy.
What are metals used for in biomedical applications?
Metallic biomaterials are engineered systems designed to provide internal support to biological tissues and they are being used largely in joint replacements, dental implants, orthopaedic fixations and stents.
What are the properties of shape memory alloys?