NiTiCu Low Hysteresis Nitinol magic wire SMA shape memory alloy 0.5-2mm 30-60 °C

Description

Low Hysteresis
Nitinol Shape Memory Wire (SMA)
Price by the foot - buy any length (uncut) - qty 1 = 1 foot (31cm)
5% Copper added nitinol • alternative
formulation
a.k.a.: muscle wire, magic wire, shape memory alloy; NiTiCu (copper added alloy)
Wire moves/changes shape when heated to specific temperatures
Relaxes and becomes more pliable when cooled
Nitinol (an alloy of nickel and titanium), properly formulated and heat treated to react and change shape when heated. All our wires are stocked on spools (not pre-cut) and we cut to the length of the order. For example, if you order 5ft * quantity of 5, you will receive a single uncut length of 25 feet.
Please see
this listing (click) for our regular nitinol wire which is better suitable for most applications.
Low hysteresis (copper added) NiTiCu
is a little more delicate to work with (it is less likely to return to straight when heated when you manipulate it), however,
one of NiTiCu's special properties is its greater display of 2-way memory
(where the wire also takes on a different shape when it cools instead of simply going limp). Note - 2 way memory must be trained by repeat cycling between hot and cold, and forcing the wire into the desired shape at both temperature extremes. This can also be accomplished with regular NiTi, but with this alloy you will have better results.
General Characteristics
The wire is very smooth with a lustrous dark coating on the outside. Light reflecting off of it sometimes appears in rainbow colors. Inside, wire is silver color. Cutting thicker diameter wire (1mm and especially 2mm) requires a good pair of cutting pliers. Nitinol is very abrasion resistant. It will slip and slide along itself. It will not react with most chemicals, will not corrode, and is non-allergenic.
The transition temperature indicated is the wire's A
s
(austenite start) temp. The change in the crystal structure takes place over a gradient of approximately 10 degrees. The hotter the temperature that the wire is exposed to, the faster and more dramatic the effect. For example, dropping a coiled up piece of 60º 2mm wire into boiling (100ºC) water will make it jump out faster and with more force than dropping an 80º wire. However, at room temperature (25 - 35ºC if you're in a hot climate) the 80º wire will be much more flexible than 60º and especially 40º wire.
Varieties
This listing allows you to choose the transition temperature of the wire. There is a dramatic difference which alloy you use because they are sensitive to the surrounding temperatures.
NiTi (SMA) stock availability chart - x marks the stock
Superelastic
15 ºC
30 ºC
40 ºC
50 ºC
60 ºC
70 ºC
80 ºC
0.5 mm
x
x
x
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x
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0.8 mm
x
1.0 mm
x
x
x
x
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x
2.0 mm
x
x
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x
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x
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👍 These wires are very popular and highly recommended and most popular choices.
15ºC wire:
this is a difficult to use wire unless your application cycles to close to freezing temperatures. The wire is stiff and straight like spring steel at room temperatures. Place it in a fridge, and it will transform to a loose pliable wire that is easy to bend, like a cord. A
s you hold it in your hands outside of the fridge, it will return to its straight stiff shape as it warms up. Available in 1mm.
30ºC wire:
excellent characteristics for applications in colder climates where the ambient temperatures are below 20ºC. It can be activated with very little heat, possibly even body heat for neat tricks. Available in 1mm.
40ºC wire:
our most popular and recommended alloy. Recommended if you are new to nitinol for general experiments, demonstrations, etc. Available in 0.5mm (thin but strong), 1mm (very versatile), and 2mm (super strong, maybe could lift a car).
50ºC wire:
an excellent choice for 0.5mm wire instead of the 40ºC if you are in a hot climate and want the wire to be more pliable before it's activated. Available in 0.5mm.
60ºC wire:
an excellent all-around choice for 2mm wire, with a balance between fast activation at sub-boiling temperatures and flexibility at room temperature. Available in 2mm.
70ºC wire:
This is the same as our 1mm 80ºC wire, however, due to its thinner diameter, it activates at a lower temperature, so it is referred to as the 70ºC.
80ºC wire:
Our highest temperature alloys that remain the most pliable at room temperatures. Suitable for higher temperature activation (100ºC+). Available in 1mm and 2mm.
Memory v. Superelastic:
The wires with an indicated temperature are the "shape memory alloy" (SMA) type (which move/change crystal arrangement when heated/cooled) — also known as muscle wire. There is another type, called "superelastic". Superelastic NiTi, sometimes called fishing line, is similar to activated memory wire (for example, the 15ºC wire at room temperatures), but it remains that way at most temperatures (except very cold, e.g., -10ºC and below). It can stretch like a rubber band substantially without plastic deformation. We have superelastic in stock in 0.5mm, 0.8mm, 1mm, and 2mm. They are very stiff like spring steel, be careful when unpacking as they can jump out and/or poke an eye out.
Shipping
USA Customers - nothing to discuss, even the cheapest mail gets to you quick.
Buyers in Europe / Asia / Pacific, etc - your options:
Small $ value orders OK to ship by Economy, takes on average 2 weeks, sometimes longer. Tracking works to Europe but in other places there can be no tracking.
Medium $ value orders (-80) is OK to ship by USPS 1st Class, there is full tracking, but it can still take a long time to deliver.
Larger $ value orders, and if you want it fast with no hassle and no worry (1-5 days worldwide guaranteed delivery),
we highly recommend paying for UPS Worldwide,
we charge flat rate for any quantity of wire, you can combine wire from this listing & the regular nitinol wire listing by using the 'add to cart' feature on eBay and paying together. Most popular destinations (Europe) receive in 2-3 days!
Suggestions
Our most popular wire is the
👍
1mm 40ºC wire. It remains pliable at typical room temperatures and will straighten out very quickly when heated, without requiring the need to use dangerously hot temperatures such as boiling water. For colder climates, if your ambient environment will not exceed 20ºC, we recommend the 30ºC 1mm wire instead for even better performance.
Lower temperature wires tend to exhibit more strength. For example, the 15ºC alloys will react with much more force when heated. However, they should be much colder before activation, ideally close to freezing. Otherwise, they will already be partially engaged and the effect will not be as dramatic.The 2mm wires are very stiff when fully austenite (activated). Our most
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popular 2mm wires are the 60ºC and the 80ºC. These are good for demonstrations such as wire jumping out of hot water; they have a lot of force. If you like the 1mm 40º wire, substitute with a 60º if using 2mm because the 40ºC 2mm will be too stiff, unless the temperature is below 30ºC.
For customers looking for thin wire, such as the 0.5mm, our
👍 50ºC has an exceptional pliability at room temperatures and activates with very little heat. Those wanting the activation to take place at a higher temperature will find the
👍 70ºC wire perfect.
At Cold&Colder, we specialize in environmental control systems. We use the materials we sell and have an in-depth knowledge of their characteristics. Any advice or consulting is always free and a click away. Message us if you need any help. Thanks for looking!