Research progress on surface modification and coating technologies of biomedical NiTi alloys.

NiTi alloys are an important class of biomaterials with extensive clinical applications such as cardiovascular stents, orthodontic arch-wires, esophageal stents, orthopedic implants and more. However, the long-term implantation of NiTi alloys presents significant challenges due to their susceptibility to wear, corrosion and the excessive release of harmful nickel ions. These factors can severely compromise both the biocompatibility and the overall service life of the implants.