Carbon coatings onto shape memory alloys

Summary form only given. The shape memory NiTi- and Cu-based alloys constitute two groups of functional materials for which medical and industrial applications have been developed in the last two decades. This is due to their unique properties i.e. one and two-way shape memory and pseudoelasticity effects. In particular NiTi alloys have found wide application in medicine. The development of carbon ductile coatings for shape memory alloys with the aim of improving the alloy biocompatibility, wear and corrosion resistance is the subject of this paper.