Fort Wayne Metals Announces Line of Smooth, Oxide-Free Nitinol

Fort Wayne Metals has released a line of nitinol called Silk, which the company says offers “an unusually smooth surface.”

The product is well-suited for braiding operations and similar applications in which individual filars of wire rub on each other.
 
“Typically, oxide-free nitinol has a rough surface, which means the material often needs to be mechanically polished or electropolished before braiding,” explained Dave Plumley, nitinol product manager for the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based firm. “By removing this step, Silk nitinol enables manufacturers to significantly streamline their process.”
 
Early results indicate that Fort Wayne Metals will be able to achieve a surface roughness of 3 μin (0.076 µm) RMS or less in Silk nitinol. Surface roughness in mechanically nitinol usually ranges from 2-6 µin (0.051-0.152 µm) RMS; electropolished ranges from 2-9 µin (0.051 – 0.228 µm) RMS.
 
Silk is available in all nitinol grades from Fort Wayne Metals. Sizes range from 0.0008-0.040 in (0.020-1 mm).

Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corp. is a manufacturer of materials, precision wire, strands and cables, and component assemblies for medical devices and other demanding applications.