Evans’ deep drawn and progressive die nitinol stampings

Nitinol (NiTi, or nickel-titanium) is super-elastic, flexible, fatigue-resistant and biocompatible.

Nitinol is predominantly used for medical applications. New stent and medical device designs present engineering opportunities not only because of NiTi’s biocompatibility but because of its shape memory, super-elasticity, fatigue resistance, flexibility, corrosion-resistance, electrical conductivity and compatibility with other metals.

Much more flexible than stainless steel, when nitinol is deep drawn, the resulting final products have no seams and possibly leakage. The deep draw process fosters design innovation — controlled orifices, stepped diameters, shaped cups, beading, multiple side piercings and more. (See Steps in Creating Deep Drawn and Progressive Die Metal Stampings.)

This shape memory alloy is frequently used in stents, radiographic markers, fluid bypasses and implanted devices. A typical application is a pre-shaped nitinol component that will curve or form a fishhook shape when released as a straight implantation device.

Its thermo-sensitivity, flexibility and shape memory also make it ideal for non-medical applications such as thermo-active couplings, circuit breakers and actuators. Found in retractable antennae, spring mechanisms, eyeglass frames and golf clubs, it is often preferred because it is essentially non-magnetic, electrically conductive, radiographic and solderable.

Working on a project using Nitinol? If we can help, please click here.