Hintergrund: Diese Studie wurde initiiert, um die langfristige Wertigkeit der Implantation von selbstexpandierenden Nitinol-Stents in der Arteria femoralis superficialis zu untersuchen. Die Effektivität wurde anhand von Primärerfolg, Offenheitsraten und klinischem Erfolg überprüft. Komplikationsraten und unerwünschte Folgeereignisse definierten die Sicherheit dieser interventionellen Therapiemethode. Methoden: Retrospektiv wurden 278 Zielextremitäten von 263 Patienten über durchschnittlich 4,7 ± 1,9 Jahre hinweg beobachtet. Die Daten wurden aus internen Krankenakten sowie externen Befunden gewonnen. Gruppenvergleiche wurden mit t-Test, Fisher-Exact-Test und multivariater logistischer Regression durchgeführt. Überlebenszeitanalysen wurden mit der Kaplan-Meier-Methode berechnet. Univariate Risikofaktoren wurden mit dem Log-Rank-Test bestimmt und anschließend in das multivariate Cox-Model eingeschlossen. Ergebnisse: Das Durchschnittsalter der Patienten betrug 67,2 ± 9,5 Jahre, 74,1 % waren männlich, 21,2 % litten an einer kritischen Extremitätenischämie. Die mittlere Läsionslänge maß 11,5 ± 7,9 cm. Es handelte sich in 21,1 % um Restenosen und in 31,6 % um TASC-II-C/D-Läsionen. Der primäre technische Erfolg der Stentimplantation belief sich auf 96,8 %. Nach ein, drei und fünf Jahren lagen die primären Offenheitsraten bei 77 %, 56 % und 46 %, die sekundären Offenheitsraten bei 98 %, 94 % und 89 % sowie die Majoramputations-raten bei 0,4 %, 1,4 % und 4,2 %. Das Rutherford-Stadium ist von 3 ± 0,9 auf 1,8 ± 1,8 gesunken. Ein Todesfall war Folge eines Stentverschlusses. Signifikante Risikofaktoren für verkürzte Stentoffenheiten waren lange Gefäßläsionen, TASC-II-C/D-Läsionen sowie Luminexx®-Stents. Diabetes mellitus, Adipositas und kritische Extremitätenischämie waren mit erhöhten Amputationsraten assoziiert. Fazit: Hohe technische Erfolgsraten, relativ niedrige Komplikationsraten, befriedigende kurz- und mittelfristige Offenheitsraten sowie zufriedenstellender klinischer Erfolg zeichnen die Stentimplantationen in der Arteria femoralis superficialis aus. Langfristig stellen die Entstehung von In-Stent-Restenosen und damit verbundene Folgen jedoch ein Problem dar. Allerdings ist die Einführung von medikamenten-freisetzenden Ballons zur Sekundärbehandlung in dieser Hinsicht erfolgversprechend.

This study examines the use of embedded shape memory alloy (SMA)actuators for adaptive control of the themomechanical response of composite structures. Control of static and dynamic responses are demonstrated including thermal buckling, thermal post-buckling, vibration, sonic fatigue, and acoustic transmission. A thermomechanical model is presented for analyzing such shape memory alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) structures exposed to thermal and mechanical loads. Also presented are (1) fabrication procedures for SMAHC specimens, (2) characterization of the constituent materials for model quantification, (3) development of the test apparatus for conducting static and dynamic experiments on specimens with and without SMA, (4) discussion of the experimental results, and (5) validation of the analytical and numerical tools developed in the study. The constitutive model developed to describe the mechanics of a SMAHC lamina captures the material nonlinearity with temperature of the SMA and matrix material if necessary. It is in a form that is amenable to commercial finite element (FE) code implementation. The model is valid for constrained, restrained, or free recovery configurations with appropriate measurements of fundamental engineering properties. This constitutive model is used along with classical lamination theory and the FE method to formulate the equations of motion for panel-type structures subjected to steady-state thermal and dynamic mechanical loads. Mechanical loads that are considered include acoustic pressure, inertial (base acceleration), and concentrated forces. Four solution types are developed from the governing equations including thermal buckling, thermal post-buckling, dynamic response, and acoustic transmission/radiation. These solution procedures are compared with closed-form and/or other known solutions to benchmark the numerical tools developed in this study. Practical solutions for overcoming fabrication issues and obtaining repeatable specimens are demonstrated. Results from characterization of the SMA constituent are highlighted with regard to their impact on thermomechanical modeling. Results from static and dynamic tests on a SMAHC beam specimen are presented, which demonstrate the enormous control authority of the SMA actuators. Excellent agreement is achieved between the predicted and measured responses including thermal buckling, thermal post-buckling, and dynamic response due to inertial loading. The validated model and thermomechanical analysis tools are used to demonstrate a variety of static and dynamic response behaviors associated with SMAHC structures. Topics of discussion include the fundamental mechanics of SMAHC structures, control of static (thermal buckling and post-buckling) and dynamic responses (vibration, sonic fatigue, and acoustic transmission), and SMAHC design considerations for these applications. The dynamic response performance of a SMAHC panel specimen is compared to conventional response abatement approaches. SMAHCs are shown to have significant advantages for vibration, sonic fatigue, and noise control. / Ph. D.

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<p>This study is focused on synthesizing Nitinol by additive manufacturing that can provide desirable mechanical properties for orthopedic implants and adding functionally gradient coating that can enhance both safety and biocompatibility for orthopedic implant applications.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The characteristics of additively manufactured Nitinol, by using the direct energy deposition (DED) technique, were experimentally studied. Because of a unique layer-by-layer manufacturing scheme, the microstructure and associated properties (mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties) of the DED Nitinol is different compared to conventionally produced Nitinol. Both the feasibility of manufacturing defect-free microstructure and the precise control of chemical composition were demonstrated. Effects of chemical compositions and post heat-treatment conditions on the phase transformation temperatures of the DED Nitinol were systematically analyzed and compared with those of conventional Nitinol. More precise control of phase transformation temperature from DED Nitinol was possible due to incoherent precipitate formation during aging heat treatment. In a similar way, the mechanical properties of the DED Nitinol were less sensitive to its chemical compositions and post heat-treatment conditions. The feasibility of the precise control of both mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the DED Nitinol was demonstrated which can broaden its applications. </p> <p><br></p> <p>The bulk polycrystalline properties of the NiTi phase were studied via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Thermo-mechanical properties that are highly sensitive to chemical composition were not precisely predicted from previous reports and studies. In this study, realistic boundary conditions were applied to calculate bulk polycrystalline properties. Thermally driven phase transitions of NiTi between martensite and austenite are simulated with external stresses in both normal and shear directions. It is shown that phase transformation temperatures are affected by applied external stresses, and realistic values compared to experimental data are correctly predicted only when external stresses in both normal and shear directions are similar to the experimentally observed values of 0.05 – 0.1 GPa. The experimentally observed grain orientation and grain boundary thickness were applied to simulation domains for the prediction of the elastic moduli. The elastic moduli of polycrystalline NiTi structure was calculated as 52 GPa which is close to the experimentally reported value of 20-40 GPa while other studies predicted over 85 GPa. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Lastly, pure titanium gradient layers were coated on the Nitinol surface for orthopedic implant applications to eliminate potentially toxic Ni ion release. Using the DED technique, both the core Nitinol and titanium gradient layers were manufactured with high purity and without microstructural defects. An additional biomedical coating of Hydroxyapatite (HA) was deposited on the outer surface using the cold spray technique. The resultant bonding strength was determined to be 26 MPa which exceeded the requirement of the ISO-13779 standard (15 MPa). The <em>in vitro</em> test of the Ni release rate from the entire gradient Nitinol structure was very low, which was comparable to drinking water.</p>

A novel, environmentally friendly, fast, and flexible polishing process for Nitinol parts is presented in this study. Nitinol samples with both superelastic and shape memory properties at room temperature were investigated. The chemical contamination and surface roughness of superelastic Nitinol plates were examined before and after plasma electrolytic polishing. The shift in phase transformation temperature and tensile strength before and after the polishing process were analysed using Nitinol wire with shape memory properties. The obtained experimental results were compared to the data obtained on reference samples examined in the as-received condition. It was found that plasma electrolytic polishing, when the right process parameters are applied, is capable of delivering Nitinol parts with extremely high surface quality. Moreover, it was experimentally proven that plasma electrolytic polishing does not have a negative impact on functionality or mechanical properties of polished parts.

Estudos anteriores mostram que a produção de ligas de NiTi com efeito de memória de forma por fusão em feixe de elétrons é um processo viável. A baixa contaminação por impurezas, tais como carbono e oxigênio, é a principal característica deste processo, que resulta em teor de carbono tão baixo quanto 100ppm em peso. Neste trabalho, um lingote de 150 mm de diâmetro, produzido por este processo, pioneiro no mundo, foi transformado em fios e tiras e caracterizado em termos de efeito de memória de forma. A conformação inicial foi feita através dos processos de forjamento e laminação a quente e, posteriormente, por forjamento rotativo a quente e trefilação, mostrando também a viabilidade de conformação termomecânica. Os resultados de recuperação de forma foram excelentes, com recuperação total para uma deformação de 9%. Este resultado é inédito na literatura mundial para um material policristalino e pode ser atribuído à alta pureza do lingote de partida. Mostrou-se também neste trabalho que a heterogeneidade de composição pode provocar o aparecimento de picos de transformação martensítica multiestágio, comprovados por análise de microestrutra, análise térmica e ensaios de tração.

Este trabalho consistiu da caracterização das propriedades mecânicas, temperaturas de transformação martensítica e aspectos microestruturais da liga Ti 50,67(%at) Ni com efeito de memória de forma previamente produzida via fusão em forno de indução a vácuo denominada VIM 51. Foram analisados três formatos de materiais : tiras de NiTi de 0,82 mm de espessura, chapas de 1,7 mm de espessura e fios de 3,5 mm de diâmetro. Verificou-se que o processo de conformação mecânica da liga VIM 51 foi perfeitamente viável. Análises de MEV/EDS mostraram e semi quantificaram a presença dos precipitados TiC, Ti2Ni e Ti3Ni4. Os ensaios de calorimetria diferencial de varredura mostram que os picos de transformação martensítica surgem em função do tempo de envelhecimento e da temperatura a que a liga é submetida. Amostras solubilizadas e envelhecidas a 450oC por 30 e 150 minutos apresentam dois picos de transformação no resfriamento e dois picos no aquecimento. Isto é atribuído a precipitação de Ti3Ni4 que ocorre preferencialmente nos contornos de grão, provocando heterogeneidade de composição no material. Os ensaios de tração mostraram que amostras simplesmente laminadas apresentam uma curva característica de material convencional enquanto as amostras solubilizadas, solubilizadas e envelhecidas apresentam platô característico de materiais que apresentam o efeito de memória de forma.Verificou-se que amostras envelhecidas a 350C e 600C apresentam comportamentos próximos das amostras simplesmente solubilizadas com valores de tensões de escoamento altos. Já as envelhecidas entre 400 e 500C apresentam baixos valores de tensão de escoamento, possivelmente devido a precipitação de Ti3Ni4, que em média deixa a matriz empobrecida em níquel aumentando, consequentemente, a temperatura de transformação martensítica.

Neste trabalho foi investigado o comportamento eletroquímico de ligas de NiTi com efeito de memória de forma, produzidas por processo de fusão por feixe de elétrons (EBM), submetidas à ação corrosiva de solução aquosa neutra de cloreto de sódio. Os testes de corrosão foram conduzidos por técnica de polarização potenciodinâmica cíclica, conforme os critérios estabelecidos na norma ASTM G 61-86; e os parâmetros eletroquímicos tais como potencial de corrosão, densidade de corrente de corrosão, potencial de ruptura e potencial de proteção foram acessados a partir das curvas de polarização características. A velocidade de corrosão, expressa em termos de velocidade de penetração aparente, e a resistência de polarização foram determinadas de conformidade com as normas ASTM G 102-89 e G 3-89, respectivamente. As temperaturas de transformação martensítica direta e reversa das ligas de NiTi EMF foram caracterizadas por calorimetria diferencial de varredura e a composição das fases, por difração de raios X. Análises de MEV/EDS revelaram que a liga austenítica (EB7) sofreu ataque localizado do tipo pite e corrosão seletiva de níquel em maior intensidade que a liga martensítica (EB4). Análises por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica confirmaram a maior quantidade de níquel liberada no eletrólito pela liga austenítica, comparativamente à liga martensítica. Medidas de pH indicaram a ocorrência de hidrólise dos produtos de corrosão das ligas binárias. A diminuição do pH dessas soluções aquosas contendo cloreto de sódio é um forte indicativo do processo de hidrólise do cloreto de níquel formado no interior de pites situados na superfície metálica. Os resultados obtidos de parâmetros de corrosão apontaram para uma menor resistência à corrosão por pites da liga austenítica. Por outro lado, foi verificado que a liga martensítica é menos suscetível à corrosão por pites; porém, menos resistente à corrosão uniforme.

This dissertation addresses new developments in the constitutive modeling and structural analysis pertaining to rate-independent and rate-dependent irrecoverable inelasticity in Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). A new model for fully recoverable SMA response is derived that accounts for material behaviors not previously addressed. Rate-independent and rate-dependent irrecoverable deformations (plasticity and viscoplasticity) are then considered. The three phenomenological models are based on continuum thermodynamics where the free energy potentials, evolution equations, and hardening functions are properly chosen. The simultaneous transformation-plastic model considers rate-independent irrecoverable strain generation and uses isotropic and kinematic plastic hardening to capture the interactions between irrecoverable plastic strain and recoverable transformation strain. The combination of theory and implementation is unique in its ability to capture the simultaneous evolution of recoverable transformation strains and irrecoverable plastic strains. The simultaneous transformation-viscoplastic model considers rate-dependent irrecoverable strain generation where the theoretical framework is modfii ed such that the evolution of the viscoplastic strain components are given explicitly. The numerical integration of the constitutive equations is formulated such that objectivity is maintained for SMA structures undergoing moderate strains and large displacements. Experimentally validated analysis results are provided for the fully recoverable model, the simultaneous transformation-plastic yield model, and the transformation-viscoplastic creep model.