Medical-grade Nitinol (NiTi) alloy wire for superelastic and shape memory performance application. Fully compliant with ASTM F2063.
Nitinol Alloy Wire — Superelastic & Shape Memory Alloy ASTM F2063 Supplier
Princeton Nitinol supplies medical-grade Nitinol (NiTi) alloy wire engineered for superelastic and shape memory performance. Fully compliant with ASTM F2063, ISO 5832-11, and ISO 9001:2015. Diameters from 0.025 mm to 5.0 mm with custom Af temperatures from −50 °C to +100 °C and seven surface finish options — trusted by medical device OEMs, aerospace engineers, and industrial R&D teams worldwide.
ASTM F2063 Certified Wire
Medical-grade chemistry and transformation temperature control for implantable devices, surgical instruments, and vascular guidewires.
VIM + VAR Melted
Vacuum Induction Melting + Vacuum Arc Remelting for ultra-low inclusions (TiC, TiO2) and superior fatigue life — critical for medical and aerospace applications.
Custom Af from −50 °C to +100 °C
Precision heat treatment to dial in your exact active Af temperature. ±5 °C tolerance standard, DSC-verified per ASTM F2004 for every lot.
Product Overview — Medical Grade NiTi Alloy Wire
Our superelastic Nitinol wire withstands 8–10% recoverable strain — roughly 80× the elastic limit of stainless steel — making it the material of choice for kink-resistant guidewires, self-expanding stents, and flexible orthodontic archwires. The superelastic plateau stress can be tuned through composition and thermomechanical processing (Grade D: ≥480 MPa, Grade C: ≥440 MPa, Grade S: ≥400 MPa) to deliver the exact loading/unloading response your device requires.
Every spool is fully traceable to its heat lot, with material certificates documenting chemical composition, transformation temperatures (DSC per ASTM F2004), tensile properties, and surface condition. Diameter is verified with in-line laser micrometry — so your catheter bonding, coil winding, or shape-setting process starts with dimensionally precise wire stock, and your regulatory submission documentation is ready from day one.
Key Features & Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Superelasticity — 8–10% recoverable strain | Kink-resistant guidewires, flexible stents, and durable orthodontic archwires that spring back without permanent set — roughly 80× the elastic range of 316L stainless steel wire. |
| Shape Memory Effect (SME) | Heat-activated recovery to a preset shape — solid-state actuation without motors, gears, or hydraulics. Up to 600 MPa recovery stress. |
| ASTM F2063 / ISO 5832-11 Compliant | Meets strict chemical, mechanical, and biocompatibility requirements for medical devices and surgical implants — ready for FDA and EU MDR regulatory submissions. |
| High Fatigue Life — 10⁷+ cycles | Reliable long-term performance in stents, actuators, and dynamic components subjected to millions of load cycles. VIM+VAR melting minimizes inclusion-initiated fatigue failures. |
| Controlled Af Temperature (±5 °C) | Consistent, predictable transformation behavior — validated by DSC per ASTM F2004 for every lot. Grade D (10±7 °C), Grade C (17±7 °C), Grade S (25±5 °C), SE508 (15±10 °C). |
| Biocompatible — TiO2 Passive Layer | Natural titanium oxide surface resists corrosion in body fluids; nickel ion release well below ISO 10993 thresholds. Suitable for long-term implantable devices. |
| Corrosion Resistance — Exceeds 316L Stainless | Outperforms stainless steel in acids, alkalis, salt spray, and physiological environments. No pitting or crevice corrosion in chloride-containing media. |
| Full Lot Traceability | Material certificates, DSC thermograms, tensile reports, and surface-inspection data shipped with every order — from heat number to your receiving dock. |
Technical Specifications
Mechanical Properties by Alloy Grade (ASTM F2063)
| Grade Code | Tensile Strength (UTS) | Elongation | Upper Plateau Stress | Active Af | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade D | ≥ 1300 MPa | ≥ 10% | ≥ 480 MPa | 10 ± 7 °C | Cold-worked, straight annealed |
| Grade C | ≥ 1150 MPa | ≥ 10% | ≥ 440 MPa | 17 ± 7 °C | Cold-worked, straight annealed |
| Grade S | ≥ 1000 MPa | ≥ 10% | ≥ 400 MPa | 25 ± 5 °C | Cold-worked, straight annealed |
| SE508 | ≥ 1100 MPa | ≥ 12% | ≥ 450 MPa | 15 ± 10 °C | Superelastic (austenitic at room temp) |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) Alloy — near-equiatomic |
| Nickel Content (Nominal) | 54.5 – 57.0 wt% (balance titanium) |
| Diameter Range | 0.025 mm – 5.0 mm (0.001 in – 0.197 in) |
| Diameter Tolerance (Standard) | ±0.02 mm |
| Diameter Tolerance (Precision) | ±0.005 mm (laser micrometry verified) |
| Af Temperature Range | −50 °C to +100 °C (customizable) |
| Austenite Elastic Modulus | 70 – 80 GPa |
| Martensite Elastic Modulus | 28 – 40 GPa |
| Density | ~6.45 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | ~1310 °C |
| Standards | ASTM F2063, ISO 5832-11, GB/T 24627, Q/XB1516 |
Surface Finish Options
Applications
Medical Devices
- Cardiovascular guidewires & self-expanding stents
- Orthodontic archwires (50–300 g force range)
- Endodontic root canal files
- Stone retrieval baskets
- Neurovascular micro-guidewires (0.1–0.4 mm)
- Orthopaedic staples & bone fixation
- Biopsy forceps & endoscopic instruments
- Surgical sutures & aneurysm clips
Aerospace & Defense
- Variable geometry chevrons (Boeing)
- Cryogenic pipe couplings
- Solar array deployment actuators
- Reconfigurable rotor blades
- Vibration damping mounts
- Thermal switches & triggers
- Smart inlet / morphing structures
Industrial & Consumer
- Robotics — solid-state linear actuators
- Automotive thermal bypass valves
- Microfluidic valves (lab-on-chip)
- Superelastic eyeglass frames
- 5G antenna compressible contacts
- USB-C / connector pins
- Fire safety sprinkler triggers
- Fishing wire (kink-free leader)
Why Choose Princeton Nitinol
VIM + VAR Melting
Double-melt process minimizes non-metallic inclusions (TiC, TiO2) — critical for fatigue-limited medical devices. Single-melt material typically has 3–5× higher inclusion density.
Full Documentation Package
Certificate of conformance, DSC thermogram (ASTM F2004), tensile report, and surface inspection data with every shipment — ready for your FDA or EU MDR technical file.
Tight Tolerances
Standard ±0.02 mm diameter tolerance; ±0.005 mm achievable on fine wire with in-line laser micrometry. Critical for catheter bonding and coil winding consistency.
Fast Turnaround
Stock sizes ship in 3–5 business days. Custom diameters and Af specifications delivered in 2–4 weeks. No minimum order for R&D prototyping samples.
R&D & Prototyping Support
Small-batch samples for proof-of-concept work. Technical team available to discuss Af selection, surface finish, shape-setting parameters, and electropolishing compatibility.
Global Shipping & Export Packaging
Precision-layer wound spools, vacuum-sealed with desiccant in moisture-barrier packaging. DAP/FCA incoterms. Documentation compliant with US, EU, and APAC customs.
Packaging & Available Forms
| Form | Description | Typical Packaging |
|---|---|---|
| Spooled Wire | Continuous length, precision-layer wound | Plastic spools (diameter 100–300 mm), vacuum-sealed with desiccant |
| Straightened Wire | Cut to length, mechanically or heat straightened | Tube-packed in 150 mm, 300 mm, or custom lengths |
| Coiled Wire | Large-diameter coil for high-volume processing | Bulk coils on poly-wrapped carriers, 5–50 kg |
| Shape-Set Components | Pre-shaped to your geometry (450–550 °C anneal) | Custom trays per customer specification |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nitinol is a near-equiatomic nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy exhibiting two unique properties: superelasticity (recovers up to 8–10% strain without permanent deformation — roughly 80× the elastic limit of stainless steel) and the shape memory effect (returns to a preset shape when heated above its transformation temperature). Named after Nickel Titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory (1962). Used in medical devices, aerospace, robotics, and industrial applications.
ASTM F2063 is the international standard specification for wrought nickel-titanium shape memory alloys for medical devices and surgical implants. It governs chemical composition, transformation temperature measurement methodology, and minimum mechanical properties. Compliance is mandatory for implantable and long-term indwelling medical devices submitted to the FDA, EU MDR, and other regulatory bodies. Every heat lot we ship includes a certificate of conformance documenting ASTM F2063 compliance.
Superelastic (austenitic) wire is used above its Af temperature — it instantly springs back after deformation without heating, making it ideal for guidewires, stents, orthodontic archwires, and eyeglass frames. Shape memory (martensitic) wire stays deformed when cold and recovers its original shape upon heating above Af, suitable for thermal actuators, couplings, fire-safety triggers, and deployable structures. Our engineering team can help you select the right grade based on your operating temperature.
Diameter range: 0.025 mm to 5.0 mm (0.001 in to 0.197 in). Standard tolerance: ±0.02 mm; ±0.005 mm achievable on fine wire with laser micrometry. Surface finishes: bright/polished (Ra ≤0.2 μm), electropolished, black oxide, lightly oxidized, pickled/acid-washed, etched, and PTFE/Teflon coated. Electropolished is recommended for medical guidewires and stents — it reduces surface friction, improves fatigue life, and minimizes nickel release.
Yes. Af can be tuned from −50 °C to +100 °C through precise composition control and post-process heat treatment. Standard tolerance is ±5 °C. Each lot is verified by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) per ASTM F2004, and the thermogram is included with your material certification. Common grades: Grade D (Af 10±7 °C), Grade C (Af 17±7 °C), Grade S (Af 25±5 °C), SE508 (Af 15±10 °C).
Standard MOQ is 1 kg or 500 linear meters, whichever is less. Smaller R&D and prototyping quantities are available. Stock sizes ship in 3–5 business days. Custom diameters and Af specifications delivered in 2–4 weeks. Volume pricing applies at 10 kg, 50 kg, and 100 kg+ tiers. Contact us for a detailed quotation with lead time and material certification.
Also available: Nitinol Sheet & Plate ASTM F2063 | Nitinol Bar & Rod | Nitinol Tube | Nitinol Spring | Shape Memory Flat Wire