Memories are made of 50% titanium and 50% nickel at TW Metals (Hall 5, Stand A21).
The company's shape-memory alloy (SMA) is used by partner Aerofit in its Cryofit, Cryolive and Cryoflare high-performance pipe couplings for aircraft.
Resistant
Installed in an ultra-low-temperature process, the couplings are highly resistant to leaks and breakage and can have a longer life than the aircraft they are used in."It's the same concept as the technology behind malleable spectacles," says product support manager Peter Lewis.
"When fitting two pipes together using conventional methods the metal can stretch or break, allowing leakages. It is also costly and time-consuming.
Process
"We simply position our couplings at a tube joint and allow them to warm up from cryongenic storage. As it warms, the coupling shrinks and crimps down on to the tube with tremendous force, forming a permanent metal-to-metal seal. Our trainers can teach any employee to perform this process within 30min."
As sole worldwide distributor of the coupling range, TW Metals has seen the technology embraced by the four-nation consortium building the Eurofighter. It is also supplying couplings for the de Havilland Dash 8.
Source: Flight Daily News
