Adjustment of the scan track spacing and linear input energy to fabricate dense, pseudoelastic Nitinol shape memory alloy parts by selective laser melting

Nitinol is a well-known shape memory alloy (SMA) which is widely used due to its unique properties such as shape memory effect and pseudoelasticity. However, challenges fabricating Nitinol parts have limited the use of this alloy. Nowadays, additive manufacturing methods, specifically selective laser melting (SLM), are being used as an alternative to conventional methods for fabricating Nitinol specimens. Achieving a dense structure and controlling the transformation temperatures in such products have been among the most important challenges for several research groups. In the present study, fabrication of dense Nitinol parts by SLM together with control of their transformation temperatures is investigated with the main purpose of achieving pseudoelastic products at room temperature. For this purpose, the effect of process parameters on density, transformation temperatures, microstructure, hardness, and shape memory response are studied. The influence of process parameters on transformation temperatures varies depending on the amount of power so that the effect of scan tracks spacing for high powers is more pronounced than that for low powers. The hardness and compressive strength of the parts are also affected by the process parameters. Accordingly, optimal parameters are found to fabricate dense pseudoelastic parts with the ability of strain recovery at ambient temperature.