| If the name NiTinol wire doesn't mean much to you, | | | | controlled, smooth force it exerts when activated is |
| chances are that one or two of the top fives uses | | | | the main advantage. |
| of it will. It was actually discovered by accident, by a | | | | #3 The Safety Field |
| researcher at the Naval Ordinance Laboratory in 1961. | | | | In the fire safety industry, it's been used for many |
| A strip of this metal was brought to a meeting at | | | | years in sprinkler systems, as it helps decrease the |
| the laboratory. It was bent repeatedly; however, | | | | response time of emergency personnel. Water |
| when Dr. Muzzey held a lighter to it, it actually went | | | | faucets and shower heads can be equipped with |
| back to its original shape. | | | | anti-scalding devices. As the temperature of the |
| The name NiTinol is an acronym for Nickel Titanium | | | | water reaches a certain level, the faucet will |
| Navel Ordinance Laboratory. Its melting point is | | | | automatically shut off the water flow. |
| between 1240 degrees Celsius and 1310 degrees | | | | #4 The Clothing Industry |
| Celsius. It has a high fatigue strength, but a low | | | | You may be scratching your head wondering how |
| density. Also it's nonmagnetic and resistant to | | | | this wire can be used in the clothing industry. In |
| corrosion. For many different industries, this wire has | | | | Japan, a new brassiere has really become quite |
| an unbelievable number of applications. Here are the | | | | popular for the high level of comfort. This underwire |
| top five industries that use this material. | | | | bra utilizes this memory shape alloy to provide |
| #1 The Medical Field | | | | support and is very durable. |
| From NiTinol hooks used to attach Orel Hershiser's | | | | #5 The Military |
| tendons to the bone during a shoulder surgery to | | | | NiTinol has been used in many military applications for |
| eyeglass frames that can be bent without breaking, | | | | quite some time. The F-14 is equipped with couplers |
| this alloy metal is impressive. There are many | | | | made from this alloy since the 1960s. These couplers |
| orthodontic products that use this wire and it helps | | | | are on the hydraulic lines and help ensure tightness to |
| the teeth move faster because it's stretched before | | | | avoid leaks. |
| it's placed on the teeth. NASA has invented tweezers | | | | In Closing |
| that can be used in very small incision to remove any | | | | With all the uses for this metal alloy, it's no wonder |
| tiny foreign objects. It has also become quite popular | | | | that engineers are continually searching for new |
| for catheters that are used in blood vessels. | | | | applications. One that holds a great deal of interest is |
| #2 The Robotics Field | | | | in the automobile industry. Imagine if the frame for a |
| NiTinol is also used extensively in the robotics field it's | | | | car was made from a material that returned to its |
| used in micromanipulators and actuators in order to | | | | original shape? |
| help mimic the movement of human muscles. The | | | | |