ON THE MACHINING OF NICKEL-TITANIUM SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

In this review paper the machining performance pertaining to the processing of NickelTitanium shape memory alloys is presented. High accuracy products for specialized applications need to be machined in order to be shaped to their final form. However, shape memory alloys are characterized by poor machinability due to the same properties that make them unique. Superelasticity and shape memory effect are discussed in order to obtain an insight on the transformation mechanisms of shape memory alloys. Furthermore, tension and shearing are considered. In the last part, conventional machining such as turning, milling and drilling and nonconventional machining for the processing of shape memory alloys are studied. A discussion on machinability, tool materials, tool wear, cutting fluids, cutting conditions and the effect of material properties on the final product is included.