This study aims to investigate mechanical properties and transformation behavior of TiNiCu shape memory alloys to obtain optimal conditions for utilizing as orthodontic wires. TiNi binary alloys with Ni-content 50.6 at.%, TiNiCu alloys with Cu-content ranging from 5 to 10 at.% were prepared. The alloys were melted by electrical arc-melting method and then homogenized at 800°C for 3600 s. The alloys were subsequently sliced into thin plates (1.5 mm) by EDM wire cutting machine. To evaluate mechanical properties, the specimens were cold-rolled with 10, 20 and 30%, followed by heat treatment at 400°C and 600°C for 3600 s, respectively. A Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) was used to detect transformation temperatures. Mechanical properties were evaluated by micro hardness and three-point bending tests. The results showed that transformation temperatures were strongly increased with increasing Ni-content. Moreover, the decrease in transformation temperature after increasing level of cold-rolling reduction ratio suggests that internal stress can depress transformation. However, internal stress seemed to support the introduction of superelasticity for each specimen. In addition, specimens heat treated at 400°C have, more appropriate properties as orthodontic wires than those heat-treated at 600°C due to the remaining effect of cold-working. These results can be take into consideration for optimizing alloy composition and mechanical properties of TiNiCu shape memory alloys for orthodontics wires purposes.

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This study aims to address the amount of force delivered by a fabricated NiTiCu orthodontic wire with a ternary composition ratio of 46.0 Ni: 49.0 Ti: 5.0 Cu and to compare the results with a commercial NiTiCu35oC orthodontic archwire. Nickel (purity 99.9%), Titanium (purity 99.8%), and Copper (purity 99.9%) were used in this study with the atomic weight ratio 46.0 Ni: 49.0 Ti: 5.0 Cu. The elements were melted to form an alloy using an electrolytic arc furnace in argon gas atmosphere and homogenized at 800oC for 1 hr. The alloys were subsequently sliced into thin plates (1.5mm) by EDM wire cutting machine to obtain the specimens and were cold-rolled with 30% reduction followed by heat treatment in a furnace at 400oC for 1 hour. Then, the three newly fabricated NiTiCu specimens were cut in nearly identical wire sizes of 0.016 inch x0.022 inch. Commercial preformed Ormco NiTiCu35oC archwire with size 0.016 inch x 0.022 inches were used for comparative purposes. Three-point bending test was performed using a Universal Testing Machine to investigate the force of the load-deflection curve at oral temperature (36oC+ 1) with deflection points at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, and 1.5 mm. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate each variable and independent t-test was used to analyze the differences between the groups. It was found that both NiTiCu wires presented typical superelastic properties as observed from the load-deflection curve. The average force was 341.70 g for loading, and 264.18 g for unloading for 46.0 Ni: 49.0 Ti: 5.0 Cu wire. Similarly, the values were 299.88 g for loading, and 201.96 g for unloading for Ormco NiTiCu35oC. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in mean loading and unloading forces between the two NiTiCu wires. The deflection forces in loading and unloading force for Ormco NiTiCu at each point were less than 46.0 Ni: 49.0 Ti: 5.0 Cu wire, except at the deflection point of 0.25 mm. Regarding the force difference between each deflection point of loading and unloading force, Ormco NiTiCu35oC exerted less force than 46.0 Ni: 49.0 Ti: 5.0 Cu wire, except at difference deflection at 1.5-1.25 mm of unloading force. However, there were still within the acceptable limits for orthodontic use. It is concluded that the fabricated ternary alloy of 46.0 Ni: 49.0 Ti: 5.0 Cu (atomic weight) with 30% reduction and heat treatment at 400oC for 1 hr. and Ormco 35oC NiTiCu presented the characteristics of both superelastic and shape memory in their wire form. The unloading forces of both NiTiCu wires were in the range of orthodontic use. This should be a good foundation for further studies towards development of new orthodontic NiTiCu archwires.

NiTi shape memory alloy is widely used in dental applications such as orthodontics arch wire, mini screw implant, orthodontics spring, etc., because of its favorable superelasticity and shape memory effect. Wire drawing is a fundamental manufacturing process used for producing orthodontics arch wires. It is well known that cold-work occurred during wire drawing operation is also important to control mechanical properties and transformation temperature of NiTi wires. Thus, the purpose of this work is to study the effect of cold working by means of reduction ratio of cross -sectional area and heat-treatment temperatures on transformation and mechanical behavior of the drawn wires for utilized as orthodontic wires. The wire material used in this study is Ni51.4Ti48.6 (at%) alloy with various initial diameters with targeted wire diameter of 0.51mm (0.02 inch). The die for wire drawing is made of tungsten carbide which is inserted into a steel case. The dies were designed to have different reduction ratio of cross sectional area for 4 levels; 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%, respectively. The lubricant used in this study is sodium stearate powder. In order to investigate the influences of heat-treatment temperatures, the drawn wires are heat-treated at 400 °C and 600 °C for 3.6ks. The results showed that percentages of reduction of cross sectional area and heat-treatment temperature strongly affect mechanical properties and transformation temperatures. Superelasticity was confirmed in an alloy heat-treated at 400 °C. The results obtained can be used to determine the optimum properties of NiTi wire in order to utilized as orthodontics arch wires.