Composite alloys comprising a first alloy portion comprising nickel and titanium and a second alloy portion comprising nickel and titanium in a different stoichiometry than the first alloy portion are disclosed, along with related methods of manufacture and use. Particularly, the composite alloys may be used in customized medical devices where a shape memory effect would be beneficial.

This invention relates to structures and processing imparting self-healing characteristics in Iron, Copper, Zinc, Magnesium, Nickel, Titanium, Gold, Silver and their alloys, and other materials including polymers and ceramics. The composite disclosed consists of a matrix with dispersed hollow macro, micro and nanotubes or balloons or fibers encapsulating a lower melting point or liquid healing material; self-healing results from flow of liquid healing agent into the crack. Another type of self-healing material is where the cracks are subjected to compressive stresses due to phase transformations in the matrix or reinforcement, including nano structure matrix and nanosize reinforcements. The compressive stresses could be due to shrinkage of shape memory material in the form of fibers, micro and nano size which deform, or reinforcements when expand upon reaction with atmosphere sealing the crack. The invention includes self-healing due to hollow vascular networks through which healing agent can flow and seal the crack.

Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to the manufacture of metallic material with a thermal expansion coefficient in a predetermined range, comprising: deforming, a metallic material comprising a first phase and a first thermal expansion coefficient. In response to the deformation, at least some of the first phase is transformed into a second phase, wherein the second phase comprises martensite, and orienting the metallic material in at least one predetermined orientation, wherein the metallic material, subsequent to deformation, comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient, wherein the second thermal expansion coefficient is within a predetermined range, and wherein the thermal expansion is in at least one predetermined direction. In some embodiments, the metallic material comprises the second phase and is thermo-mechanically deformed to orient the grains in at least one direction.

Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to the manufacture of metallic material with a thermal expansion coefficient in a predetermined range, comprising: deforming, a metallic material comprising a first phase and a first thermal expansion coefficient. In response to the deformation, at least some of the first phase is transformed into a second phase, wherein the second phase comprises martensite, and orienting the metallic material in at least one predetermined orientation, wherein the metallic material, subsequent to deformation, comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient, wherein the second thermal expansion coefficient is within a predetermined range, and wherein the thermal expansion is in at least one predetermined direction. In some embodiments, the metallic material comprises the second phase and is thermo-mechanically deformed to orient the grains in at least one direction.

A power switch device has a housing, a movable shuttle and at least one shape memory alloy actuator. The housing has a cavity and stationary current carrying contacts which extend through the housing to the cavity. The movable shuttle with a bridge contact provided in the cavity. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is attached to a first end of the shuttle and to a first end of the housing. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator is configured to respond to a first activation signal. The at least one shape memory alloy actuator contracts from an initial shape in response to the first actuation signal to move the shuttle and the bridge contact toward the stationary current carrying contacts to a closed position in which the bridge contact is positioned in electrical engagement with the stationary current carrying contacts.

The present invention provides a superelastic alloy formed by addition of Fe or Co to an AuCuAl alloy, including: Cu of 12.5% by mass or more and 16.5% by mass or less; Al of 3.0% by mass or more and 5.5% by mass or less; Fe or Co of 0.01% by mass or more and 2.0% by mass or less; and a balance Au, and a difference between Al content and Cu content (CuAl) is 12% by mass or less. The superelastic alloy according to the present invention has superelastic property while being Ni-free, excellent X-ray imaging property, processability, and strength property, and is suitable for a medical field.

A method of improving the fatigue life of a superelastic medical device includes applying a compressive stress to a fatigue critical location of a medical device comprising a superelastic nickel-titanium alloy, where the compressive stress induces a compressive strain of greater than 9% in the fatigue critical location. After inducing the compressive strain, the compressive stress is released. A tensile stress is applied to the fatigue critical location of the medical device, where the tensile stress induces a tensile strain of greater than 9% in the fatigue critical location. After inducing the tensile strain, the tensile stress is released. After application and release of each of the compressive stress and the tensile stress, the fatigue critical location includes a non-zero amount of residual strain, and the medical device may exhibit improved fatigue properties.

Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to the manufacture of metallic material with a thermal expansion coefficient in a predetermined range, comprising: deforming, a metallic material comprising a first phase and a first thermal expansion coefficient. In response to the deformation, at least some of the first phase is transformed into a second phase, wherein the second phase comprises martensite, and orienting the metallic material in at least one predetermined orientation, wherein the metallic material, subsequent to deformation, comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient, wherein the second thermal expansion coefficient is within a predetermined range, and wherein the thermal expansion is in at least one predetermined direction. In some embodiments, the metallic material comprises the second phase and is thermo-mechanically deformed to orient the grains in at least one direction.

Thermally configurable structural elements (e.g., aircraft components such as an aircraft winglet spar) capable of assuming at least first and second structural configurations are provided whereby the structural element includes an integral actuation mechanism may be formed of sintered shape memory alloy (SMA) particles and sintered non-SMA particles formed by an additive layer manufacturing (ALM) process, such as 3D printing. The ALM process thereby provides by at least one thermally configurable region, and at least one non-thermally configurable region which is unitarily contiguous with the at least one thermally configurable region. The at least one thermally configurable region is capable of assuming at least first and second positional orientations in response to the presence or absence of a thermal input to thereby cause the structural element to assume the at least first and second structural configurations, respectively.

A composite object with more complete and stronger adhesion between the constituent parts includes a substrate and a plastic member formed on a surface of the substrate. The substrate can be made of memory metal. Nano-holes are formed on the surface of the substrate. The composite further includes a combining layer. The combining layer is positioned between the substrate and the plastic member. The nano-holes are at least partially filled with the combining layer, unfilled holes being filled with the plastic constituent in the molten state. The disclosure further provides a method for manufacturing the composite.