Development of Nickel-Titanium Shape Memory Alloys via Laser Power Bed Fusion

Shape memory alloys (SMAs), such as nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys or Nitinol, possess remarkable properties, including superelasticity and shape memory effects, which are attributed to the reversible martensitic transformation. However, traditional manufacturing of NiTi SMAs is challenging due to its high ductility and reactivity, which limits NiTi applications to simple geometries. In this context, laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), an additive manufacturing technique, emerges as a promising solution capable of overcoming these limitations and introducing the concept of four-dimensional (4D) printing. This approach enables the creation of morphing shapes that can be activated by external stimuli, such as heat or stress, particularly beneficial for SMAs.