Gene

Selective laser melting

Transformation (genetics)

Shape-memory alloy

Fabrication

Metallurgy

Materials science

Biochemistry

Alternative medicine

Pseudoelasticity

Microstructure

Nickel titanium

Medicine

Chemistry

Martensite

Pathology

Materials

Due to unique functional and mechanical properties, NiTi shape memory alloys are one of the most promising metallic functional materials. However, the poor workability limits the extensive utilization of NiTi alloys as components of complex shapes. The emerging additive manufacturing techniques provide high degrees of freedom to fabricate complex structures. A freeform fabrication of complex structures by additive manufacturing combined with the unique functional properties (e.g., shape memory effect and superelasticity) provide great potential for material and structure design, and thus should lead to numerous applications. In this review, the unique microstructure that is generated by selective laser melting (SLM) is discussed first. Afterwards, the previously reported transformation behavior and mechanical properties of NiTi alloys produced under various SLM conditions are summarized.

A Short Review on the Microstructure, Transformation Behavior and Functional Properties of NiTi Shape Memory Alloys Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting