Ti-based shape memory alloy article

Abstract

An article of Ti-based shape memory alloy is made of a Ti-based alloy containing, by atomic percentage, 4 to 10 at % Mo, at least one of 3 to 10 at % Sn and 1 to 10 at % Sc, and the balance Ti and unavoidable impurities, or a Ti-based alloy containing 15 to 30 at % Nb, 1 or more at % Sc, and the balance Ti and unavoidable impurities.

1 . An article of Ti-based shape memory alloy comprising a Ti-based alloy which has a composition containing 4 to 10 at % Mo, at least one of 3 to 10 at % Sn and 1 to 10 at % Sc, and the balance Ti and unavoidable impurities.  
   
   
       2 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein said Ti-based alloy contains 4 to 10 at % Mo, 3 to 10 at % Sn, and the balance Ti and unavoidable impurities and has been subjected to an aging treatment at a temperature of 500° C. or more after a heat treatment at a β-transformation temperature or more.  
   
   
       3 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein said Ti-based alloy contains 4 to 10 at % Mo, 1 to 10 at % Sc, and the balance Ti and unavoidable impurities and has been subjected to an aging treatment at a temperature of 150° C. or more after a heat treatment at a β-transformation temperature or more.  
   
   
       4 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article is used at at least a human body temperature.  
   
   
       5 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article has one of a plate shape, a tubular shape, and a linear shape including a bar shape.  
   
   
       6 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article has one of a shape memory function and a superelasticity function.  
   
   
       7 . A medical material or a medical instrument comprising the article according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       8 . A consumer article comprising the article according to  claim 1  which forms part or the whole of one of a golf club, eye glasss, and a timepiece.  
   
   
       9 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article is one of a heat exchanger, a heat insulator, and a vibration suppressor.  
   
   
       10 . An article of Ti-based shape memory alloy comprising a Ti-based alloy having a composition containing 15 to 30 at % Nb, 1 or more at % Sc, and the balance Ti and unavoidable impurities.  
   
   
       11 . An article according to  claim 10 , wherein said Ti-based alloy has been subjected to an aging treatment at a temperature of 500° C. or more after a heat treatment at a β-transformation temperature or more.  
   
   
       12 . An article according to  claim 10 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article is used at at least a human body temperature.  
   
   
       13 . An article according to  claim 10 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article has one of a plate shape, a tubular shape, and a linear shape including a bar shape.  
   
   
       14 . An article according to  claim 10 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article has one of a shape memory function and a superelasticity function.  
   
   
       15 . A medical material or a medical instrument comprising the article according to  claim 10 .  
   
   
       16 . A consumer article comprising the article according to  claim 10  which forms part or the whole of one of a golf club, eye glasss, and a timepiece.  
   
   
       17 . An article according to  claim 10 , wherein said Ti-based shape memory alloy article is one of a heat exchanger, a heat insulator, and a vibration suppressor.