Evaluation of Precision-Cast TiNi Shape Memory Alloy Brain Spatula

Abstract

In order to develop a brain spatula made of a shape memory alloy (SMA)， this paper discusses the bending characteristics of a new brain spatula precision-cast in a TiNi SMA. Based on the yield stress and the modulus of elasticity of the copper and the TiNi SMAs， the bending deformation properties of the SMA-brain spatula were estimated by assuming the condition to use the brain spatula as the bending of the strip cantilever. With respect to the SMA-brain spatula for the same length and width as the existing copper one， if the thickness of the conventional rolled-SMA spatula is 1.3 times as large as that of the existing copper-brain spatula，the SMA spatula can hold the same bending rigidity and can be bent by a smaller force than the existing copper one. If the thickness of the new cast-SMA spatula is 1. 2 times as large as that of the existing-copper spatula， the SMA spatula can hold the same bending rigidity and can be bent by the same force as the existing copper one.