Nitinol

Description

A tradename for a Shape memory alloy (SMA) that can be deformed then return to its original shape with heat. Nitinol was developed in 1965 by the U.S. Naval Ordinance Laboratory. The alloy is composed of Nickel (55%) and Titanium (45%). Its name is an acronym for Nickel-Titanium Naval Ordinance Lab. Less expensive shape memory metals are composed of copper-zinc-aluminum alloys.

Synonyms and Related Terms

shape memory alloy (SMA); memory metal; smart wire; Nitionol (Deut.)

Resources and Citations

• Nitinol: Website
• Confluent Medical: Nitinol Facts
• Cosmos Magazine: Metal with a memory
• Wikipedia: Shape-memory alloy accessed October 2024