Effect of heat treatment on superelasticity of NiTi-based intravascular implants

The paper analyzes the conditions for realization of superelasticity in nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys due to martensite transformations. The degree of superelasticity, its temperature range, and related shape recovery necessary for NiTi alloys as intravascular implant materials are determined. It is shown that the desired characteristics of medical NiTi implants are attained by heat treatment at 773±10 K for 15–30 min.