60NiTi: A Review of Recent Research Findings, Potential for Structural and Mechanical Applications, and Areas of Continued Investigations

Recent advances in the manufacture and processing of high purity NiTinol 60 (60 wt% Ni-40 wt% Ti) has spurred a renewed interest in the use of this alloy for structural and mechanical component applications. NiTinol 60 (60NiTi) exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, can be hardened to high levels, has a low elastic modulus and extensive elastic range that imparts high mechanical contact load resilience. It is dimensionally stable, has good bio-compatibility, can be machined into precision components and is non-magnetic. This unique set of characteristics make the intermetallic 60NiTi suitable for a wide variety of applications in the marine, medical, aerospace and food processing industries. This article surveys and reviews a broad range of historic and recent publications on 60NiTi to highlight what is known and areas that require further study. In particular, recent results indicate a dichotomy in friction and wear behavior. Under good lubrication (liquid or solid) both friction and wear are low but in dry un-lubricated sliding, wear exceeds that of other materials such as steel that have comparable hardness. This unexpected behavior is proposed as an important topic for future investigations before any of widespread adoption in engineering applications.