ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MARCH 2026 41 SMJ HIGHLIGHTS Shape Memory and Superelasticity: Advances in Science and Technology (SMJ) is the official journal of the International Organization on Shape Memory and Superelastic Technologies (SMST), an affiliate society of ASM International. The journal publishes original peer-reviewed papers that focus on shape memory materials research with contributions from materials science, experimental and theoretical mechanics, physics with cognizance of the chemistry, underlying phases, and crystallography. It also provides a forum for researchers, scientists, and engineers of varied disciplines to access information about shape memory materials. The first article was part of a special issue focus honoring Shape Memory Associate Editor Hans Jergen Maier. The second was part of the special issue focus containing papers from SMST 2024. They were selected by Shape Memory Editor-in-Chief Huseyin Sehitoglu. SMJ is available through link.springer.com. For more information, visit asminternational.org/smst. September 2025 LASER BEAM POWDER BED FUSION OF Co–Ni–Ga SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY USING SINGLE-CRYSTALLINE SUBSTRATE MATERIAL Marius Horn, Christian Lauhoff, Moritz Kahlert, Adrian Guder, Philipp Krooß, and Thomas Niendorf In this study, a Heusler-type Co–Ni–Ga shape memory alloy (SMA) was additively manufactured using laser beam powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M). This alloy system is known for its promising superelastic properties in single-crystalline state. Polycrystals, however, suffer from premature failure due to intergranular cracking under thermo-mechanical loading and/or processing. To overcome this issue, an appro- priate microstructure design is of utmost importance for envisaged applications. The study reports on the use of single-crystalline substrate plates as seed crystals during PBF-LB/M processing. Detailed microstructure analysis reveals the influence of processing parameters and scanning strategies on the solidification behavior and microstructure evolution with increasing built height. Eventually, a promising PBF-LB/M processing routine for obtaining additively manu- factured Co–Ni–Ga structures with good shape memory effect is established (Fig. 1). December 2025 IMPACT OF POLYMER COVERINGS ON THE CORROSION RESISTANCE OF NITINOL Srinidhi Nagaraja, Rainer Hoffmann, Parikshith Kumar, Deborah Bell, Audrey Martin, Steffen Westermann, Shiril Sivan, Jason D. Weaver, Matthew Di Prima, and Philipp Hempel Nitinol frames are often covered with polymer(s) in cardiovascular medical devices to direct blood flow or maintain structural integrity. Due to their insulating properties, coverings pose a challenge to accurately assess the corrosion resistance of the device. Potentiodynamic polarization testing was performed on electropolished and thermal oxide Nitinol stent rings with either an electrospun TPU, dip-coated silicone, or ePTFE/FEP covering to evaluate its impact on Nitinol corrosion resistance. Stent rings were tested fully covered, partially covered (no silicone group), and with the covering removed. For the silicone and ePTFE/ FEP groups, uncovered stent rings with a simulated thermal history representative of their covering processes were also tested. The results indicated that breakdown potentials (Eb) were similar between the different TPU groups within each surface finish. In contrast, the silicone group displayed lower Eb values for the covering removed and simulated thermal history compared to the as-manufactured electropolished rings. Substantial variability in electrochemical behavior was observed in the ePTFE-covered group, particularly in the Fig. 1 — Optical micrographs of PBF-LB/M processed Co–Ni–Ga in (a) the as-built, and (b) solution-annealed (1200°C/12 h) condition. Fig. 2 — Photographs of representative TPU-covered stent ring specimens from the full covering (A), partial covering (B), and covering removed (C) groups prior to pitting corrosion testing.
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