Patent ID: 6454913
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: C22C,C22F,C23C

Abstract:
A process for forming a thin film deposit of a ternary shape memory alloy on a substrate by sputtering deposition comprising:arranging a Niâ€”Tiâ€”Hf target and a substrate within a deposition chamber; maintaining a working distance from the target to the substrate of about 83 mm to 95 mm; heating said substrate to a first temperature high enough to induce in-situ crystallization; introducing a krypton working gas into said deposition chamber; applying an appropriate level of deposition power so that the deposition rate is from about 6 Ã¥ per second to about 120 Ã¥ per second; and depositing a Niâ€”Tiâ€”Hf shape memory alloy film having a composition ranging from about Ni48(TiHf)52 to Ni50(TiHf)50, wherein during said depositing, said substrate temperature decreases.