Anodizing of shape memory materials

Abstract

Anodizing of a shape memory material product or part includes polishing the shape memory material product or part, thereby producing a polished shape memory material product or part, and then anodizing the polished shape memory material product or part. The polishing of the shape memory material product or part includes mechanical polishing or electrochemical polishing. The electrochemical polishing includes placing the shape memory material product or part in an electrolyte and applying a voltage to the shape memory material product or part for a predetermined time. The anodizing of the polished shape memory material product or part includes placing the polished shape memory material product or part in an electrolyte and applying a voltage to the polished shape memory material product or part for a predetermined time period.

1 . A method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part, comprising:
 polishing the shape memory material product or part, thereby producing a polished shape memory material product or part; and   anodizing the polished shape memory material product or part.   
     
     
         2 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 1 , wherein polishing the shape memory material product or part comprises mechanical polishing of the shape memory material product or part. 
     
     
         3 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 2 , wherein the mechanical polishing comprises one of paste polishing, polishing with emery paper, and abrasive blasting. 
     
     
         4 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 1 , wherein polishing the shape memory material product or part comprises electrochemical polishing of the shape memory material product or part. 
     
     
         5 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 4 , wherein the electrochemical polishing comprises:
 placing the shape memory material product or part in an electrolyte; and   applying a voltage to the shape memory material product or part for a predetermined time period.   
     
     
         6 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 5 , wherein the voltage for the electrochemical polishing is between 10V and 60V and the predetermined time period for the electrochemical polishing is between 1 and 60 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 5 , wherein applying a voltage for the electrochemical polishing comprises:
 placing a cathode in the electrolyte with the shape memory material product or part therebetween;   connecting a negative terminal of a voltage source with the cathode; and   connecting a positive terminal of the voltage source with the shape memory material product or part.   
     
     
         8 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 7 , wherein the voltage for the electrochemical polishing is an anodic voltage between 10V and 60V and the predetermined time period for the electrochemical polishing is between 1 and 60 seconds. 
     
     
         9 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 1 , wherein anodizing the polished shape memory material product or part comprises:
 placing the polished shape memory material product or part in an electrolyte; and   applying a voltage to the polished shape memory material product or part for a predetermined time period.   
     
     
         10 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 9 , wherein the electrolyte for the anodizing comprises:
 one of phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulphuric acid, and mixtures thereof in a concentration between 0.1% and 5% total volume of the electrolyte; and   distilled water, whereby a remainder of the electrolyte consists of the distilled water.   
     
     
         11 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 9 , wherein the voltage for the anodizing is between 10V and 40V and the predetermined time period for the anodizing is between 1 and 120 seconds. 
     
     
         12 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 9 , wherein a voltage for the anodizing between 29V and 31V and a predetermined time period for the anodizing of 120 seconds produces a gold hue on the polished shape memory material product or part. 
     
     
         13 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 9 , wherein a voltage for the anodizing between 24V and 26V and a predetermined time period for the anodizing of 120 seconds produces a blue hue on the polished shape memory material product or part. 
     
     
         14 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 9 , wherein applying a voltage for the anodizing comprises:
 placing a cathode in the electrolyte adjacent the polished shape memory material product or part;   connecting a negative terminal of a voltage source with the cathode; and   connecting a positive terminal of the voltage source with the shape memory material product or part.   
     
     
         15 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 14 , wherein the voltage for the anodizing is an anodic voltage between 10V and 40V and the predetermined time period for the anodizing is between 1 and 120 seconds. 
     
     
         16 . A method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part, comprising:
 polishing the shape memory material product or part, thereby producing a polished shape memory material product or part, comprising:
 placing the shape memory material product or part in an electrolyte, and 
 applying a voltage to the shape memory material product or part for a predetermined time; and 
   anodizing the polished shape memory material product or part, comprising:
 placing the polished shape memory material product or part in an electrolyte, and 
 applying a voltage to the polished shape memory material product or part for a predetermined time period. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 16 , wherein the voltage for the polishing is between 10V and 60V and the predetermined time period for the polishing is between 1 and 60 seconds. 
     
     
         18 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 16 , wherein the electrolyte for the anodizing comprises:
 one of phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulphuric acid, and mixtures thereof in a concentration between 0.1% and 5% total volume of the electrolyte; and   distilled water, whereby a remainder of the electrolyte consists of the distilled water.   
     
     
         19 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 16 , wherein the voltage for the anodizing is between 10V and 40V and the predetermined time period for the anodizing is between 1 and 120 seconds. 
     
     
         20 . A method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part, comprising:
 mechanically polishing the shape memory material product or part, thereby producing a polished shape memory material product or part; and   anodizing the polished shape memory material product or part, comprising:
 placing the polished shape memory material product or part in an electrolyte, and 
 applying a voltage to the polished shape memory material product or part for a predetermined time period. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 20 , wherein the electrolyte for the anodizing comprises:
 one of phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulphuric acid, and mixtures thereof in a concentration between 0.1% and 5% total volume of the electrolyte; and   distilled water, whereby a remainder of the electrolyte consists of the distilled water.   
     
     
         22 . The method of anodizing a shape memory material product or part according to  claim 20 , wherein the voltage for the anodizing is between 10V and 40V and the predetermined time period for the anodizing is between 1 and 120 seconds.