ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | NOVEMBER 2026 29 martensitic transformation remains active even under cryogenic conditions. Conventional binary NiTi alloys often experience challenges related to transformation behavior and functional stability as temperature decreases significantly. In contrast, the NiTiNbY alloy demonstrates robust superelasticity despite the increase in transformation stress associated with lower testing temperatures. The ability to maintain recoverable deformation at cryogenic temperatures provides a unique advantage for aerospace systems, space exploration hardware, liquefied gas handling equipment, and other low-temperature engineering applications. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK A NiTiNbY shape memory alloy was successfully developed to achieve a combination of elevated transformation stresses, high stiffness, and stable cryogenic superelasticity compared with conventional NiTi. Properties of this material are less sensitive to heat treatment time and more sensitive to heat treatment temperature with strong influence of phase transformation behavior and superelastic performance. Lower heat treatment temperatures increased austenite stability, suppressed thermal martensitic transformation, and produced higher transformation stresses without compromising recoverable strain. The alloy can be cryogenic- superelastic as it maintained robust superelasticity over a wide temperature range, from -130 to 150°C. These results demonstrate that NiTiNbY may be a promising candidate for medical devices for stress-fatigue applications or in component downsizing, high-force actuators, aerospace systems, and other applications requiring high stiffness, high force output, and reliable performance under extreme low-temperature conditions. The present results represent a step toward the development of next-generation NiTi-based alloys with even higher transformation stresses, greater stiffness, and broader superelastic operating temperature ranges. Future alloy design efforts will focus on optimizing composition and microstructure to further expand the performance limits of superelastic materials for demanding medical, aerospace, cryogenic, and actuator applications. ~SMST For more information: Jeremy Schaffer, EVP, research and development, Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corp., 9609 Ardmore Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46809, jeremy_ schaffer@fwmetals.com, fwmetals.com. References 1. S. Cai, J.E. Schaffer, Y. Ren, and L. Wang, Deformation of a Super-elastic NiTiNb Alloy with Controllable Stress Hysteresis, Applied Physics Letters, 108, p 261901, 2016. 2. S. Cai, J.E. Schaffer, and A.J. Griebel, Nickel-Titanium- Yttrium Alloys with Reduced Oxide Inclusions, U.S. Patent No. 11,155,900 B2, 2021. 3. K. Otsuka and X. Ren, Physical Metallurgy of Ti–Ni-based Shape Memory Alloys, Progress in Materials Science, 50, p 511-678, 2005. Fig. 5 — Material maintains superelastic behavior in a wide temperature range. Sample diameter was 0.35 mm. Heat treatment was carried out in a box furnace at 400°C for 5 minutes. SMST BOARD NOMINATIONS The ASM SMST is currently soliciting nominations for two candidates for a three-year term on the SMST Board of Directors. Terms begin October 1, 2027. Nominations are due March 1, 2027. SMST also is seeking applications for its Student Board Member position. Applications are due April 1, 2027. Learn more at asminternational.org/smst. SMST UPCOMING EVENTS SMST 2027 May 19-20 | Belén, Heredia Province, Costa Rica SMST 2028 May 1-5 | Portorož, Slovenia Learn more at asminternational.org/events. FEATURE
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