Damping of Selective-Laser-Melted NiTi for Medical Implants

NiTi exhibits distinct damping properties associated with the martensite-austenite transformation. We fabricated net-shape NiTi parts layer-by-layer using a laser beam that locally melted the NiTi powder. The damping properties of such NiTi parts were analyzed by the decay of cantilever vibrations in comparison to conventionally prepared NiTi. The dynamic modulus as a function of the temperature was derived from the resonant frequency. We found that the two cantilevers showed a damping ratio of about 0.03 at temperatures below austenite start, maximal values of up to 0.04 in the transformation regions and low values of about 0.005 above austenite finish. The results indicate that selective-laser-melted NiTi qualifies for the fabrication of shock-absorbing medical implants in the same manner than conventionally produced NiTi