Surface conditions of Nitinol wires, tubing, and as-cast alloys. The effect of chemical etching, aging in boiling water, and heat treatment.

The surface conditions of Nitinol wires and tubing were evaluated with the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution Auger spectroscopy, electron backscattering, and scanning-electron microscopy. Samples were studied in the as-received state as well as after chemical etching, aging in boiling water, and heat treatment, and compared to a mechanically polished 600-grit-finish Nitinol surface treated similarly. General regularities in surface behavior induced by the examined surface treatments are similar for wires, tubing, and studied as-cast alloy, though certain differences in surface Ni concentration were observed. Nitinol wires and tubing from various suppliers demonstrated great variability in Ni surface concentration (0.5-15 at.%) and Ti/Ni ratio (0.4-35). The wires in the as-received state, with the exception of those with a black oxide originating in the processing procedure, revealed nickel and titanium on the surface in both elemental and oxidized states, indicating a nonpassive surface. Shape-setting heat treatment at 500 degrees C for 15 min resulted in tremendous increase in the surface Ni concentration and complete Ni oxidation. Preliminary chemical etching and boiling in water successfully prevented surface enrichment in Ni, initially resulting from heat treatment. A stoichiometric uniformly amorphous TiO(2) oxide generated during chemical etching and aging in boiling water was reconstructed at 700 degrees C, revealing rutile structure.

On the nature of the biocompatibility and on medical applications of NiTi shape memory and superelastic alloys.

Nitinol based shape memory alloys were introduced to Medicine in the late seventies. They possess a unique combination of properties including shape memory, superelasticity, great workability in the martensitic state, resistance to fatigue and corrosion. Despite these exceptional physical, chemical and mechanical properties the worldwide medical application has been hindered for a long time because of the lack of knowledge on the nature of the biocompatibility of these enriched by nickel alloys. A review of biocompatibility with an emphasis on the most recent studies, combined with the results of X-ray surface investigations, allows us to draw conclusions on the origin of the good biological response observed in vivo. The tendency of Nitinol surfaces to be covered with TiO2 oxides with only a minor amount of nickel under normal conditions is considered to be responsible for these positive results. A certain toxicity, usually observed in in vitro studies, may result from the much higher in vitro Ni concentrations which are probably not possible to achieve in vivo. The essentiality of Ni as a trace element may also contribute to the Nitinol biocompatibility with the human body tissues. Examples of successful medical applications of Nitinol utilizing shape memory and superelasticity are presented.