Laser metal deposition of NiTi shape memory alloy: Processability, microstructure, and thermomechanical evaluation

Additive manufacturing of shape memory alloys (SMAs) has significantly advanced in the last two decades due to its advantages in creating smart products with unique shape memory and superelasticity properties. Most studies have primarily focused on powder bed fusion (PBF) techniques, which are often more expensive and limited to small-scale products. This study explores the feasibility of using laser melting deposition (LMD) technology to print NiTi SMA alloy, which offers a higher deposition rate and is suitable for fabricating larger components. Specifically, we investigated the optimal processing parameters, including laser power and speed, for producing high-quality NiTi parts. The printed samples underwent extensive microstructural and mechanical characterization to understand their thermo-mechanical performance using different printing configurations. The results demonstrate that the LMD technique can fabricate NiTi components with functional performance very close to that of the base materials.