Nitinol — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

tunable transformationAf

SME + superelasticityEffect

A1 metalFire

Stent / archwireIcon

Allergy cautionNi

advancedFamily

Nitinol is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under advanced: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Nitinol with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.

Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Nitinol

Nitinol (NiTi (~50/50 at.%)) is a family of grades whose density ~6.45 g/cm³, heat band ~1310 °C, and fire letter A1 metal.

What “the material” actually is

Nitinol is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry NiTi (~50/50 at.%), density ~6.45 g/cm³, heat band ~1310 °C.

This atlas treats Nitinol as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: ~10–18 W/m·K. Insulation score 12/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: A1 metal. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: NOL 1959 Buehler, United States. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: titanium.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 36/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Résistance 72

Résistance à la chaleur 50

Performance au feu 78

Isolation 12

Ouvrabilité 38

Circularité 36

Questions fréquentes

Is Nitinol non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1 metal. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Nitinol insulate?

Thermal mark 12/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~10–18 W/m·K.

What is the density band?

~6.45 g/cm³

How is it made?

Origin story: NOL 1959 Buehler (United States).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 36/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

~1310 °C

What should it be paired with?

titanium: The medical metal without the phase trick.

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Icônes

NOL bar

United States · 1959

NOL bar is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

Orthodontic wire

Global · 1970s–

Orthodontic wire is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

Self-expanding stent

Global · 1990s–

Self-expanding stent is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

Cryofit coupling

United States · 1970s

Cryofit coupling is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

Eyeglass frames

Japan / US · 1980s–

Eyeglass frames is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

Guidewire

Global · 1990s–

Guidewire is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

Robotics spring

Labs · 2010s–

Robotics spring is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

Af DSC curve

Global · lab

Af DSC curve is a reference point in the public image of Nitinol.

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Duels

Même famille, autres notes — choisissez un duel.

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Nitinol vs Titane

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Matériaux proches

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