https://prod1-www.fwmetals.com/resources/blog/ Welcome to my blog! Articulate, blogging built on Umbraco 3279 https://prod1-www.fwmetals.com/resources/blog/articles/conicr-nitinol-composite-wires-for-guidewire-applications/ Materials Science Wire Technology Medical Device Innovation <p>Fort Wayne Metals developed a CoNiCr-Nitinol composite wire targeted for use in advanced guidewire applications. This novel material combines the strength and stiffness of CoNiCr alloys with the superelasticity of Nitinol, offering a seamless transition from proximal stiffness to distal flexibility. These properties may enhance physician control, improve tip performance, and facilitate the crossing of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) without requiring a jointed core wire.</p> <p><strong>Material composition and manufacturing</strong>The composite wire consists of:</p> <ul> <li>Outer Shell: 35N LT® (CoNiCrMo alloy) for high strength and stiffness</li> <li><strong>Core:</strong> Ni50.8Ti49.2 Nitinol for superelasticity and kink resistance</li> </ul> <p>Manufactured using DFT® technology, the wire undergoes co-processing, cold reduction, and heat treatments. This process combines two dissimilar materials into a single wire system, achieving optimal strength, flexibility, and superelastic performance.</p> <p><strong>Key performance characteristics</strong></p> <ol start="1" type="1"> <li><strong>Mechanical strength and flexibility</strong></li> <ul> <li>The CoNiCr shell provides an initial elastic modulus of 197 GPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 2600 MPa.</li> <li>The Nitinol core maintains an elastic modulus of 48 GPa with an ultimate tensile strength of 1170 MPa.</li> <li>The wire demonstrates a seamless transition from stiffness to flexibility, allowing for precise control.</li> </ul> <li><strong>Torque control and one-to-one response</strong></li> <ul> <li>Rotational testing confirmed minimal lag between proximal and distal ends, providing sufficient torque transmission.</li> <li>Optical tracking in a whip test showed that the wire exceeded ASTM F2819 standards for straightness.</li> </ul> <li><strong>Bending and kink resistance</strong></li> <ul> <li>The composite wire maintains higher bending stiffness in the proximal section for pushability.</li> <li>The Nitinol core offers lower bending resistance in the distal end, improving navigation and kink resistance.</li> </ul> <li><strong>Joint-free design</strong></li> <ul> <li>Unlike traditional guidewires that require soldering or adhesives to join different materials, this composite wire integrates high strength and superelasticity into a single, continuous structure.</li> <li>This composite wire product has the potential to reduce failure points and enhance reliability.</li> </ul> </ol> Mon, 17 Feb 2020 12:00:00 Z 2020-02-17T12:00:00Z