NiTi, also known as Nitinol, was developed in the 1950's at the Naval Ordinance Laboratories. ATI Wah Chang started melting and fabricating NiTi ingots into various size bars in the 1970's. ATI Wah Chang is a fully integrated supplier of the alloy in many shapes, sizes, and compositions. We offer low-carbon compositions and other specialty grades. NiTi is one of several alloy systems that can "remember" a preset form, exhibiting shape memory. Another feature of these alloys is superelasticity. The alloy can undergo deformation up to 8%, and upon removal of the load the material will return to its original shape. These effects are the result of a phase transformation within the alloy that takes place at specific temperatures controlled by the chemical composition. These two features have inspired numerous engineering applications for nickel-titanium alloys.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
NiTi applications include: arch wires for orthodontics, temperature-sensitive actuators; eyeglass frame components; vascular tools, including guide wires for placing catheters; arterial stents; cellular phone antenna wire; damping rods for seismic applications; hydraulic fittings; and wear-resistant ball bearings. NiTi has unique properties that can be tailored for a wide variety of applications.