Contact
Phone: +39 340 111 4252
Mail: info@bioactivemetals.com
Address: Via Barbara Melzi 170, 20025 Legnano
Our Contributions to Research
On this page, we would like to share a few selected examples of our research work, by clicking on the link you will be redirected to the publisher.We believe that by innovating the functionality of today’s smart alloys, we can address important challenges in the industrial world and ultimately contribute to improving the well-being of society. We are passionate about research and channel this enthusiasm into everything we do.
Shape Memory Alloys
Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) have the unique ability to “remember” and recover their original shape when subjected to heat or an electrical current. This shape memory effect can be exploited in a wide range of applications, such as sensors, actuators, damping and vibration control, and coupling devices. Moreover, both industry and academia are investing significant effort into developing novel SMA-based applications, including elastocaloric cooling devices, thin-film valves, and actuators for MEMS. Various SMA systems — based on NiTi, Cu, Ti, Fe, and other alloys — each exhibit distinct characteristics.
We have worked extensively on both commercial SMAs and novel alloy systems, for example those designed for high-temperature applications or featuring extremely low transformation hysteresis, to fully harness the potential of these materials. For example studies, please refer to the following references:
High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy Publications
- Development of Ni3Ta-based High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys
- Improvement of Mechanical Behaviour in B doped Ni3Ta based High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy
- Challenges in Alloying of NiTi – New Approaches for Low-Hysteresis and High-Temperature SMAs
- Laser Straight Annealing of HT-SMA Thin Wires
- Achieving improved workability and competitive high temperature shape memory performance by Nb addition to Ni-Ti-Hf alloys
- DSC and microstructure analysis of high temperature Ni-Ti-Hf, low hysteresis Ni-Ti-Cu and conventional super-elastic and shape memory Ni-Ti alloy ingots and wires
Low Hysteresis Shape Memory Alloy Publications
- Challenges in Alloying of NiTi – New Approaches for Low-Hysteresis and High-Temperature SMAs
- Low-hysteresis shape memory alloy scale-up: DSC, XRD and microstructure analysis on heat-treated vacuum induction melted Ni-Ti-Cu-Pd alloys
- DSC and microstructure analysis of high temperature Ni-Ti-Hf, low hysteresis Ni-Ti-Cu and conventional super-elastic and shape memory Ni-Ti alloy ingots and wires
Various Shape Memory Alloy Publications
- Straightforward Downsizing of Inclusions in NiTi Alloys: A New Generation of SMA Wires with Outstanding Fatigue Life
- Standardization of shape memory alloy test methods toward certification of aerospace applications
- The Effect of Inclusions on Fatigue Properties for Nitinol
- Characterization of Inclusions in VIM/VAR NiTi Alloys
- Investigation on the Hysteretic Behavior of NiTi Shape Memory Wires Actuated Under Quasi-Equilibrium and Dynamic Conditions
- Smartflex NiTi Wires for Shape Memory Actuators
Metal-based Additive Manufacturing
Metal-based Additive Manufacturing offers new processing possibilities, enabling rapid prototyping and the production of parts with complex geometries, reduced weight, minimized material waste, and in some cases, enhanced performance compared to conventionally produced alloys. While such processes are already widely applied in industries such as aerospace, transportation, and racing, significant work remains to be done to expand their use, from feedstock preparation to process control.
We have worked on several types of alloys, including steels, aluminum alloys, and shape memory alloys, among others. For example studies, please refer to the following references:
Additive Manufacturing of Shape Memory Alloy Publications
- Characterization and postprocessing of additively manufactured shape memory alloys, Additive Manufacturing of Shape Memory Materials
- Additive manufacturing of architected shape memory alloys: a review
- Enhancement of Antibacterial Activity in NiTi Based Shape Memory Alloy Produced by Additive Manufacturing
- Building Orientation and Heat Treatments Effect on the Pseudoelastic Properties of NiTi Produced by LPBF
Additive Manufacturing of Special Steels Publications
- Design of wear-resistant austenitic steels for selective laser melting
- Effect of annealing on the microstructure and magnetic properties of soft magnetic Fe-Si produced via laser additive manufacturing
- Calorimetric study and microstructure analysis of the order-disorder phase transformation in silicon steel built by SLM
- Aging Behavior of High-Strength Al Alloy 2618 Produced by Selective Laser Melting
- Aging behaviour and mechanical performance of 18-Ni 300 steel processed by selective laser melting
- Microstructure and fracture behavior of 316L austenitic stainless steel produced by selective laser melting
Super-elastic Alloy Publications
Superelasticity (SE) is the property that allows a material to be stretched, compressed, bent, twisted, or strained in complex ways and to instantly recover its original shape once the stress is released. This effect is highly valued in medical applications such as vascular stents, flow diverters, catheters, and minimally invasive surgical equipment.
Beyond medical devices, SE alloys also find applications in other fields, including self-centering devices for engineering and construction, smart tires and textiles, antennas, and more. In NiTi, the most widely used medical SE alloy, the effect is closely related to the shape memory effect (SME), and its chemistry and processing can be tailored to achieve SE behavior at specific operating temperatures. For example studies, please refer to the following references:
- Building Orientation and Heat Treatments Effect on the Pseudoelastic Properties of NiTi Produced by LPBF
- DSC and microstructure analysis of high temperature Ni-Ti-Hf, low hysteresis Ni-Ti-Cu and conventional super-elastic and shape memory Ni-Ti alloy ingots and wires
- Inclusions Size-based Fatigue Life Prediction Model of NiTi Alloy for Biomedical Applications
Bioabsorbable Alloys Publications
Bioabsorbable metals are still largely unknown to the general public and not yet familiar to all medical professionals. It is part of our mission to actively promote and raise awareness of the potential of these materials. Therefore, we collaborate with world-class researchers in the field to explore and demonstrate the full capabilities of bioabsorbable metals and to support their dissemination. For example studies, please refer to the following references:
- Impact of UV, Vis, and IR Emission Wavelengths on Morphology and Corrosion of Laser-Textured Fe-20Mn Biodegradable Alloy
- On the addition of Au and Pt to a Fe-Mn-Si alloy for biodegradable implants
- Designing high performance Fe-Mn biodegradable alloys by a stacking fault energy approach
- Effect of Mn content on mechanical and corrosion properties of Fe-Mn alloys for biological applications
Further Research Contributions
Our team has a long history of participating in science and working on cutting edge materials and processes. To find our our most recent articles, please check the references in our scopus profiles: