US4631094A
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Method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy and article produced therefrom
Assignee: Advanced Metal Components Inc
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Filing: 1984-11-06
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2004-11-06
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy. The method comprises overdeforming the alloy so as to cause at least some amount of nonrecoverable strain, temporarily expanding the transformation hysteresis by raising the austenite transformation temperature, removing the applied stress and then storing the alloy at a temperature less than the new austenite transition temperature. There is also disclosed an article produced from this method.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Simpson
- 👤 Keith Melton
- 👤 Tom Duerig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:22
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method consisting essentially of: overdeforming the alloy, isothermally, at a temperature that is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy so as to temporarily expand the transformation hysteresis by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s 'and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and storing the alloy at a temperature between A s and A s '.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method consisting essentially of: overdeforming the alloy, isothermally, at a temperature that is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy so as to temporarily expand the transformation hysteresis by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s 'and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and storing the alloy at a temperature between A s and A s '.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 further consisting essentially of the step of removing the stress.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein in overdeforming the alloy, a stress is applied sufficient to cause at least one percent of nonrecoverable strain in the alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the overdeforming temperature is greater than M s .
Claim 6
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method consisting essentially of: overdeforming the alloy, isothermally, at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continuously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 7
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method consisting essentially of: overdeforming the alloy, isothermally, at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continuously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 5 further consisting essentially of the step of removing the stress.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein in the step of overdeforming the alloy, a stress is applied sufficient to cause at least one percent of nonrecoverable strain in the alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 5 further consisting essentially of the step of storing the alloy at a temperature less than about A s '.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the overdeforming temperature is greater than M s .
Claim 12
Independent Claim
40 words
The method according to claims 1 or 5 wherein the overdeforming takes place at a first temperature and further consisting essentially of the step of raising the temperature of the alloy to a second temperature while maintaining the applied strain.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the second temperature is room temperature.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
61 words
The method according to claims 2 or 6 wherein the overdeforming takes place at a first temperature and further consisting essentially of the step of overdeforming the alloy, isothermally, a second time by applying a continuously increasing stress sufficeint to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy wherein the second overdeforming takes place at a second temperature different from the first temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein the second temperature is room temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
38 words
The method according to claims 1 or 5 further consisting essentially of the step of heating the alloy to a temperature greater than about A s ' so as to effect at least partial recovery of the alloy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the heating temperature is greater than about A f '.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
23 words
The method according to claims 1 or 5 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy has an M s less than about 0° C.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
32 words
The method according to claims 1 or 5, wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is stable, does not contain an R phase, and has an M s less than about 0° C.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
17 words
The method according to claims 1 or 5 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is a binary.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
19 words
The method according to claims 1 or 5 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is at least a ternary.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
37 words
The method of claims 1 or 5 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy consists essentially of nickel, titanium and at least one other element selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, vanadium, aluminum, and niobium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 20 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy consists essentially of nickel, titanium, and niobium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
140 words
A nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the article processed by the method consisting essentially of: forming the alloy into an article; overdeforming the article, isothermally, at a temperature that is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continuously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article so as to temporarily expand the transformation hysteresis by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and storing the alloy at a temperature between A s and A s '.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
140 words
A nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the article processed by the method consisting essentially of: forming the alloy into an article; overdeforming the article, isothermally, at a temperature that is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continuously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article so as to temporarily expand the transformation hysteresis by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and storing the alloy at a temperature between A s and A s '.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article processed by the method of claim 22 further consisting essentially of the step of removing the stress.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article processed by the method of claim 22 wherein in overdeforming the article a stress is applied sufficient to cause at least one percent of nonrecoverable strain in the article.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article processed by the method of claim 22 wherein the overdeforming temperature is greater than M s .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
125 words
A nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the article processed by the method consisting essentially of: forming the alloy into an article; overdeforming the article, isothermally, at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
125 words
A nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the article processed by the method consisting essentially of: forming the alloy into an article; overdeforming the article, isothermally, at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced, by applying a continously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 26 further consisting essentially of the step of removing the stress.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 26 wherein in the step of overdeforming the article a stress is applied sufficient to cause at least one percent of nonrecoverable strain in the article.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 26 further consisting essentially of the step of storing the article at a temperature less than about A s '.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 26 wherein the overdeforming temperature is greater than M s .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
the articel processed by the method according to claims 22 or 26 wherein the overdeforming takes place at a first temperature and further consisting essentially of the step of raising the temperature of the article to a second temperature while maintaining the applied strain.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 31 wherein the second temperature is room temperature.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
65 words
The article processed by the method according to claims 23 or 27 wherein the overdeforming takes place at a first temperature and further consisting essentially of the step of overdeforming the article, isothermally, a second time by applying a continously increasing stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article wherein the second overdeforming takes place at a second temperature different from the first temperature.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 33 wherein the second temperature is room temperature.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The article processed by the method according to claims 22 or 26 further consisting essentially of the step of heating the article to a temperature greater than about A s ' so as to effect at least partial recovery of the article.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 35 wherein the heating temperature is greater than about A f '.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The article processed by the method according to claims 22 or 26 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy has an Mphd s less than about 0°C.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The article processed by the method according to claims 22 or 26 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is stable, does not contain an R phase, and has an M s less than about 0° C.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article processed by the method according to claims 22 or 26 wherein the nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy is a binary.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article processed by the method according to claims 22 or 26 wherein the nickel/titanium based shape memory alloy is at least a ternary.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
The article processed by the method of claim 22 or 26 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy consists essentially of nickel, titanium and at least one other element selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, vanadium, aluminum, and niobium.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article processed by the method according to claim 41 wherein the ternary nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy consists essentially of nickel, titanium, and niobium.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article processed by the method according to claims 22 or 26 wherein the article is a coupling.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
37 words
The method according to claims 1, 5, 22 or 26 consisting essentially of the further step of selecting an alloy having an A s below room temperature wherein after deformation A s ' is above room temperature.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
39 words
The method according to claims 1, or 5, consisting essentially of the further step of subsequently over-deforming the alloy isothermally at a temperature below A' s by applying a continuously increasing stress so as to increase A' s .
Claim 50
Independent Claim
39 words
The method according to claims 22 or 26 consisting essentially of the further step of subsequently over-deforming the article isothermally at a temperature below A' s by applying a continuously increasing stress so as to increase A' s .
Claim 51
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: processing the alloy so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: overdeforming the alloy at a temperature which is less than about maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy wherein the transofrmation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature differences between A' s and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and avoiding heating above A' s prior to any subsequent overdeforing steps.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: processing the alloy so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: overdeforming the alloy at a temperature which is less than about maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy wherein the transofrmation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature differences between A' s and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and avoiding heating above A' s prior to any subsequent overdeforing steps.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: processing the alloy so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: only overdeforming the alloy, wherein the overdeforming comprises overdeforming the alloy at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f' , respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 54
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: processing the alloy so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: only overdeforming the alloy, wherein the overdeforming comprises overdeforming the alloy at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the alloy wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f' , respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 55
Independent Claim
25 words
The method according to claims 47 or 48 further comprising the step of storing the alloy at a temperature less than about A' s .
Claim 56
Independent Claim
35 words
The method according to claims 47 or 48 further comprising the step of heating the alloy to a temperature greater than about A' s so as to effect at least partial recovery of the alloy.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 50 wherein the heating temperature is greater than about A' f .
Claim 58
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: forming the alloy into an article; processing the article so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: overdeforming the alloy at a temperature which is less than about maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature differences between A' s and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and avoiding heating above A' s prior to any subsequent overdeforming steps.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: forming the alloy into an article; processing the article so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: overdeforming the alloy at a temperature which is less than about maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature differences between A' s and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s ; and avoiding heating above A' s prior to any subsequent overdeforming steps.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: forming the alloy into an article; processing the article so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: only overdeforming the article, wherein the overdeforming comprises overdeforming the article at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 61
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of processing a nickel/titanium-based shape memory alloy article having a transformation hysteresis defined by M s , M f , A s , and A f temperatures, the method comprising: forming the alloy into an article; processing the article so as to initiate the shape memory effect, wherein said processing consists essentially of: only overdeforming the article, wherein the overdeforming comprises overdeforming the article at a temperature which is less than about the maximum temperature at which martensite can be stress-induced by applying a stress sufficient to cause nonrecoverable strain in the article wherein the transformation hysteresis is temporarily expanded by elevating the A s and A f temperatures to A s ' and A f ', respectively, so that the temperature difference between A s ' and M s is greater than the temperature difference between A s and M s .
Claim 62
Independent Claim
25 words
The method according to claims 52 or 53 further comprising the step of storing the article at a temperature less than about A' s .
Claim 63
Independent Claim
35 words
The method according to claims 52 or 53 further comprising the step of heating the article to a temperature greater than about A' s so as to effect at least partial recovery of the article.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 55 wherein the heating temperature is greater than about A' f .
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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