Enhanced thermomechanical functionality of a laser processed hybrid NiTi–NiTiCu shape memory alloy

The exciting thermomechanical behavior of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) has sparked significant research effort seeking to exploit their exotic properties. The performance capabilities of conventional NiTi offerings are limited, however, by current fabrication technologies. In this study, a high power density laser source was implemented to locally alloy Cu into a conventional NiTi material. The effects of laser processing created a localized NiTiCu ternary material domain which possessed a set of unique thermomechanical properties. The combined active responses of the laser processed hybrid NiTi–NiTiCu SMA represent an enhanced material functionality, which permits a multi-stage thermomechanical recovery and allows for unprecedented novel applications to be realized.