Description

Certain NiTi alloys can be deformed 8 to 10% and still return to their original shape when unloaded. This extraordinary elasticity is caused by the formation of a stress-induced martensite in near equiatomic NiTi alloys commonly known as shape memory alloys. The transformational super- or pseudoelasticity, in fact, is characteristic for shape memory alloy in a certain temperature range. Superelastic NiTi wires are used in a growing number of commercial applications, the oldest being the orthodontic archwire.