Effect of Ion Implantation on some Physical Properties of Nitinol (Ni-Ti) Shape-Memory Alloy: A Review

Shape-memory alloys (SMAs) are unique class of metal alloys that after a large deformation can, on heating, recover their original shape. Its non-linear behavior and thermal dependence attracted many researchers, engineers and designers to choose the right material for proper applications in many fields of industry. The most commonly used material is nitinol (NiTi). Nitinol is highly biocompatible and has suitable properties for use in orthopaedic implants. Due to Nitinol's unique properties it has seen a large demand for use in less invasive medical devices. Nitinol tubing is commonly used in catheters, stents, superelastic needles and in devices for reconnecting the intestine after removing the pathology. Nitinol has been increasingly utilized in a variety of medical devices, actuators and robotic industries, nuclear reactors, in radiation environment, nuclear industry and other applications. During service in nuclear reactors, nitinol is exposed to many types of radiations which may affect its properties and structure. A comprehensive collection of previous reports on the effects of ion implantation of different energetic massive species: He+, B+, C+, N+, Ar+, Xe+, Ti+2, Ni+2, Cu+2 and Au+3 on nitinol properties are given. I hope this will be a useful and helpful guide to researchers and engineers working in this field.