Effect of solution treatment on the microstructure,phase transformation behavior and functional properties of NiTiNb ternary shape memory alloys fabricated via laser powder bed fusion in-situ alloying

Post-heat treatment is commonly employed to improve the microstructural homogeneity and enhance the mechanical performances of the additively manufactured metallic materials.In this work,a ternary(NiTi)91Nb9(at.%)shape memory alloy was produced by laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)using pre-alloyed NiTi and elemental Nb powders.The effect of solution treatment on the microstructure,phase transformation behavior and mechanical/functional performances was investigated.The in-situ alloyed(NiTi)91Nb9 alloy exhibits a submicron cellular-dendritic structure surrounding the supersaturated B2-NiTi matrix.Upon high-temperature(1273 K)solution treatment,Nb-rich precipitates were precipitated from the supersaturated matrix.The fragmentation and spheroidization of the NiTi/Nb eutectics occurred during solution treatment,leading to a morphological transition from mesh-like into rod-like and sphere-like.Coarsening of theβ-Nb phases occurred with increasing holding time.The martensite transformation temperature increases after solution treatment,mainly attributed to:(i)reduced lattice distortion due to the Nb expulsion from the supersaturated B2-NiTi,and(ii)the Ti expulsion from theβ-Nb phases that lowers the ratio Ni/Ti in the B2-NiTi matrix,which resulted from the microstructure changes from non-equilibrium to equilibrium state.The thermal hysteresis of the solutionized alloys is around 145 K after 20%pre-deformation,which is comparable to the conventional NiTiNb alloys.A short-term solution treatment(i.e.at 1273 K for 30 min)enhances the ductility and strength of the as-printed specimen,with the increase of fracture stress from(613±19)MPa to(781±20)MPa and the increase of fracture strain from(7.6±0.1)%to(9.5±0.4)%.Both the as-printed and solutionized samples exhibit good tensile shape memory effects with recovery rates>90%.This work suggests that post-process heat treatment is essential to optimize the microstructure and improve the mechanical performances of the L-PBF in-situ alloyed parts.

Machine learning-assisted efficient design of Cu-based shape memory alloy with specific phase transition temperature

The martensitic transformation temperature is the basis for the application of shape memory alloys(SMAs),and the ability to quickly and accurately predict the transformation temperature of SMAs has very important practical significance.In this work,machine learning(ML)methods were utilized to accelerate the search for shape memory alloys with targeted properties(phase transition temperature).A group of component data was selected to design shape memory alloys using reverse design method from numerous unexplored data.Component modeling and feature modeling were used to predict the phase transition temperature of the shape memory alloys.The experimental results of the shape memory alloys were obtained to verify the effectiveness of the support vector regression(SVR)model.The results show that the machine learning model can obtain target materials more efficiently and pertinently,and realize the accurate and rapid design of shape memory alloys with specific target phase transition temperature.On this basis,the relationship between phase transition temperature and material descriptors is analyzed,and it is proved that the key factors affecting the phase transition temperature of shape memory alloys are based on the strength of the bond energy between atoms.This work provides new ideas for the controllable design and performance optimization of Cu-based shape memory alloys.

Laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of NiTi shape memory alloys: a review

NiTi alloys have drawn significant attentions in biomedical and aerospace fields due to their unique shape memory effect(SME),superelasticity(SE),damping characteristics,high corrosion resistance,and good biocompatibility.Because of the unsatisfying processabilities and manufacturing requirements of complex NiTi components,additive manufacturing technology,especially laser powder bed fusion(LPBF),is appropriate for fabricating NiTi products.This paper comprehensively summarizes recent research on the NiTi alloys fabricated by LPBF,including printability,microstructural characteristics,phase transformation behaviors,lattice structures,and applications.Process parameters and microstructural features mainly influence the printability of LPBF-processed NiTi alloys.The phase transformation behaviors between austenite and martensite phases,phase transformation temperatures,and an overview of the influencing factors are summarized in this paper.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the mechanical properties with unique strain-stress responses,which comprise tensile mechanical properties,thermomechanical properties(e.g.critical stress to induce martensitic transformation,thermo-recoverable strain,and SE strain),damping properties and hardness.Moreover,several common structures(e.g.a negative Poisson’s ratio structure and a diamond-like structure)are considered,and the corresponding studies are summarized.It illustrates the various fields of application,including biological scaffolds,shock absorbers,and driving devices.In the end,the paper concludes with the main achievements from the recent studies and puts forward the limitations and development tendencies in the future.

Surface Coating of NiTi Shape Memory Alloys with Calcium Phosphates by Dip-coating or Plasma-spraying-biological Characterization Examined by in vitro Testing Methods

The influence of different surface coatings of NiTi shape memory allays was examined using in vitro testing methods. Plates of superelastic nickel-titanium shape memory allay （ NiTi ） were coated with calcium phosphates （ hydroxyapatite ） by high-temperature plasma-spraying or by dip-coating. The biocompatibility was tested in vitro by cultivation of isolated human granulocytes and whole blood cells. As substrates, pure NiTi, plasma-spray-coated NiTi and dip-coated NiTi were used. Isolated granulocytes showed an increased adhesion to both calcium phosphate-coated NiTi samples. Compared to non-coated NiTi or dip-coated NiTi, the number of dead granulocytes adherent to plasma-sprayed surfaces was significantly increased （ p 〈 0.01 ）. Whether the d/f- ferences in apoptosis of granulocytes on dip-coated vs plasma-sprayed coatings observed are due to differences in material surface morphologies has to be analyzed in further studies. Because of the cellular interactions with the coating layers, h is likely that the results obtained are not caused by the underlying NiTi but due to the coating itself.

Effects of second phases on mechanical properties and martensitic transformations of ECAPed TiNi and Ti-Mo based shape memory alloys

TiNi and Ti-based shape memory alloys were processed by equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） at 673-773 K along Bc route to obtain ultrafine grains for increasing the strength of parent phase and improving the functional properties. The effects of both thermodynamically stable and metastable second phases on the mechanical properties and martensitic transformations of these alloys were investigated. It is found that thermodynamically stable Ti2Ni phase has no effect on martensitic transformation and superelasticity of Ti-rich TiNi alloy, thermodynamically stable α phase is harmful for ductility of Ti-Mo-Nb-V-Al alloy, but metastable Ti3Ni4 phase is effective for R phase transformation, martensitic transformation and superelasticity of Ni-rich TiNi alloy. The mechanisms of the second phases on the martensitic transformations and mechanical properties were discussed.

Microstructure,mechanical and shape memory properties of Ti-55Ta-xSi biomedical alloys

The effects of Si addition on microstructures, mechanical and shape memory properties of Ti-55Ta biomedical alloy were investigated. The results show that the microstructures consist of mainly α′′ martensite and a little β phase, and the grain size decreases obviously with increasing Si addition. When x = 0.2, small （Ti, Ta）3Si precipitates are formed at grain boundaries. With further increasing Si content, the amount of the precipitates gradually increases. The tensile and yield strength of Ti-55Ta-xSi alloys gradually increase with increasing Si addition, whereas elongation decreases. Ti-55Ta-0.1Si alloy exhibits the lowest elastic modulus and the best shape memory recoverable strain. It is revealed that the refinement of grain and the precipitation of （Ti, Ta）3Si phase are responsible to the changes of their mechanical and shape memory properties.

基于Arduino的SMA丝材智能修复损伤钢筋混凝土梁试验研究

为修复钢筋混凝土梁在使用阶段中由于材料老化、裂缝开展等原因造成的损伤,提出一种基于Arduino智能平台和形状记忆合金(Shape Memory Alloy,SMA,具有形状记忆效应和超弹性特性)的智能修复控制系统,根据挠度及裂缝控制原理,设计智能修复控制装置。该装置由输入模块、处理模块和输出模块组成,当检测到钢筋应变超过限值时,输出模块升高SMA丝材温度对梁体进行修复。为验证该智能修复装置的修复性能,设计对比梁A(无修复装置)与试验梁B(加装智能修复控制装置),在加载过程中对试验梁B进行3次修复,对2根梁的跨中挠度、钢筋应变及裂缝宽度等进行对比分析。结果表明:破坏时试验梁B的跨中挠度、裂缝宽度均小于对比梁A,并且在3次修复中试验梁B的跨中挠度、裂缝宽度和钢筋应变最大回复率分别为31.0%、47.0%和71.5%。说明该智能修复控制装置可以监测试验梁受损情况并激发SMA材料对试验梁实施修复,实现钢筋混凝土梁的智能修复。

Effect of Sn substitution and heat treatment on microstructure and microhardness of Co_(38)Ni_(34)Al_(28-x)Sn_x magnetic shape memory alloys

Sn was used to replace Al in Co38Ni34Al28 alloy. The microstructure and microhardness of Co38Ni34Al28-xSnx （x=0, 1, 2, 3） magnetic shape memory alloys were investigated at different heat treatment temperatures （1373 K, 1473 K, and 1573 K） for 2 h. The results show that more Sn substitution reduces the content of γ-phase and a partial phase of martensite can be obtained in Co38Ni34Al28-xSnx （x=1, 2, 3） alloys after treatment at 1573 K for 2 h. The maximum martensite phase appears when 2% Al is substituted by Sn. The reverse martensitic transformation temperature of Co38Ni34Al28-xSnx alloys increases at x=1 and 2, then decreases as x=3. As the content of Sn and the temperature increase, the microhardness will increase.

Modeling of Ni_4Ti_3 precipitation during stress-free and stress-assisted aging of bi-crystalline NiTi shape memory alloys

The phase field method was applied to study the microstructure evolution of Ni4Ti3 precipitates during stress-free and stress-assisted aging of bi-crystalline NiTi shape memory alloys （SAMs） with two different initial Ni-contents of 51.5% and 52.5% （mole fraction）, respectively. The simulation results show that, during stress-free aging of the NiTi alloy with a low supersaturation of Ni （i.e., Ti-51.5%Ni）, the Ni4Ti3 precipitates exhibit a heterogeneous distribution with a high number density of particles at the grain boundary, leaving most of the grain interiors free of precipitates; while for the NiTi alloy with a high supersaturation of Ni （i.e., Ti-52.5%Ni）, the Ni4Ti3 precipitates show a homogeneous distribution across the entire simulation system. The stress-assisted aging can give rise to homogeneous distribution of the precipitates, regardless of the initial Ni-content; however, the distribution of variant type within the two grains is heterogeneous.

Meso-mechanical analyses of shape memory alloy wires reinforced smart structures with damages

The thermo-mechanical behaviors of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires reinforced smart structures with damages are analyzed through variational principle and meso-mechanical method.A governing equation on the structure is derived.Mathematical expressions on meso-displacement field,stress-strain field of typical element with damages are presented.A failure criterion for interface failure between SMA wires and matrix is established under two kinds of actuation which are dead-load and temperature,where the temperature is included in effective free restoring strain.In addition,there are some other composing factors in the failure criterion such as interface properties,thermodynamical properties of SMA,initial debonding length L-l,etc.The results are significant to understand structural strength self-adaptive control and failure mechanism of SMA wires reinforced smart structures with damages,and provide a theoretical foundation for further study on the integrity of SMA smart structures.

预应变SMA⁃TMD对钢框架结构抗震性能影响研究

针对钢结构在地震激励下加速度响应过大的问题,介绍了一种将形状记忆合金(SMA)应用到调谐质量阻尼器(TMD)装置中的解决方案,利用SMA的特性实现有效的自复位和稳定的阻尼,将预应变SMA棒应用到TMD中,提高装置的阻尼性能。通过试验测试及有限元模拟,研究安装施加预应变SMA-TMD的钢框架抗震性能。结果表明:预应变SMA棒不仅有助于自复位,而且还能大大提高SMA-TMD的等效黏滞阻尼比;经过优化的SMA-TMD装置可以大大降低钢框架的地震动响应,并加快地震能量消耗。

Fe-SMA主动加固钢桥面横隔板弧形切口疲劳裂纹实桥应用研究

为确定铁基形状记忆合金(Fe-SMA)主动加固正交异性钢桥面板横隔板弧形切口疲劳裂纹的可行性,以某在役钢箱梁斜拉桥为背景进行实桥加固研究。根据现场横隔板弧形切口的开裂特征,在对裂纹钻孔止裂的基础上,提出利用Fe-SMA材料对横隔板弧形切口裂纹进行粘贴加固的方案,并进行加固施工。通过现场测试得到Fe-SMA板条热激活过程的应变和温度变化,分析Fe-SMA板条和钢板之间的相互作用及加固机理。结果表明:粘贴Fe-SMA板利用Fe-SMA热驱动形状记忆效应可有效便捷地为结构施加预压应力,实现对受损部位的主动加固;经过Fe-SMA联合止裂孔修复后,热驱动作用下的Fe-SMA可以产生200~240 MPa的预拉应力,并在钢板止裂孔边缘施加43~90 MPa的压应力,可有效阻止裂纹进一步扩展;加固体系在加热激活过程完好可靠,当控制一侧加热区域中部温度为200℃时,热传导作用下非加热区域中部的温度为60℃以下,而背面总体温度基本在90℃以下。

Effect of Co substitution on magnetic properties of Ni-Mn-Sn magnetic shape memory alloys

The effect of Co substitution on magnetic properties of Ni-Mn-Sn shape memory alloy was revealed by first-principles calculations. Large magnetization difference in Ni-Mn-Sn alloy obtained by addition of Co arises from enhancement of magnetization of austenite due to change of Mn-Mn interaction from anti-ferromagnetism to ferromagnetism. Total energy difference between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic austenite plays an important role in magnetic transition of Ni-Co-Mn-Sn. The altered Mn 3d states due to Co substitution give rise to difference in magnetic properties.

Effects of Co and Al addition on martensitic transformation and microstructure in ZrCu-based shape memory alloys

The effect of ternary alloying element Al and quaternary alloying element Co on the martensitic transformation of ZrCu-based shape memory alloy was investigated. The results show that the addition of Al and Co in ZrCu alloy decreases both the martensitic transformation temperature and the martensitic transformation temperature hysteresis. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations reveal that theCm martensite structure is the preferential formation phase. The intervariant structures in ZrCuAlCo alloy are (021) type I twins, while the dominant substructures inside the martensite variant are the (001) compound twins. With the increase of Co content, tensile fracture strength and strain are improved obviously.

Role of thermal martensite in shape memory effect of CoAl and CoNi alloys

To address the role of the HCP martensite in CoAl and CoNi shape memory alloys, the relationship between the shape memory effect （SME） and the content of the thermal and stress-induced HCP martensite was investigated in the solution-treated CoAl and CoNi alloys. In-situ optical observations were employed to investigate the contents of thermal HCP martensite before and after deep cooling and its influence on the stress-induced HCP martensite transformation and SME. The results show that the SME in both the CoAl and the CoNi alloys results from the stress-induced HCP martensite. The role of the thermal HCP martensite in both of them is the strengthening of the matrix. The much higher yield strength in the solution-treated CoAl alloy due to solution strengthening of Al is responsible for its better SME compared with the CoNi alloy.

EFFECT OF MICROSTRUCTURE ON THE HARDENING AND SOFTENING BEHAVIORS OF POLYCRYSTALLINE SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS PART Ⅰ:MICROMECHANICS CONSTITUTIVE MODELING

The effects of microstructure and its evolution on the macroscopic superelastic stress-strain response of polycrystalline Shape Memory Alloy(SMA)are studied by a microstructure-based constitutive model developed in this paper.The model is established on the following basis:(1)the transformation conditions of the unconstrained single crystal SMA microdomain(to be distinguished from the bulk single crystal),which serve as the local criterion for the derivation of overall transfor- mation yield conditions of the polycrystal;(2)the micro-to macro-transition scheme by which the connection between the polycrystal aggregates and the single crystal microdomain is established and the macroscopic transformation conditions of the polycrystal SMA are derived;(3)the quantitative incorporation of three microstruc- ture factors(i.e.,nucleation,growth and orientation distribution of martensite)into the modeling.These microstructural factors are intrinsic of specific polycrystal SMA systems and the role of each factor in the macroscopic constitutive response is quan- titatively modeled.It is demonstrated that the interplay of these factors will result in different macroscopic transformation kinematics and kinetics which are responsible for the observed macroscopic stress-strain hardening or softening response,the latter will lead to the localization and propagation of transformation bands in TiNi SMA.

Influences of 2.5wt%Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys

The influences of 2.5wt%Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Cu-11.9wt%Al-3.8wt%Ni shape memory alloy（SMA） were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,transmission electron microscopy（TEM）,and differential scanning calorimeter（DSC）.The experimental results show that Mn addition influences considerably the austenite-martensite transformation temperatures and the kind of martensite in the Cu-Al-Ni alloy.The martensitic transformation changes from a mixedβ1→β＇1＋γ＇1 transformation to a singleβ1→β＇1 martensite transformation together with a decrease in transformation temperatures.In addition,the observations reveal that the grain size of the Cu-Al-Ni alloy can be controlled with the addition of 2.5wt%Mn and thus its mechanical properties can be enhanced.The Cu-Al-Ni-Mn alloy exhibits better mechanical properties with the high ultimate compression strength and ductility of 952 MPa and 15%,respectively.These improvements are attributed to a decrease in grain size.However,the hardness decreases from Hv 230 to Hv 140 with the Mn addition.

Transformation behavior and shape memory effect of Ti_(50-x)Ni_(48)Fe_2Nb_x alloys by aging treatment

The influence of aging treatment on transformation behavior and shape memory of the Ti 50_x Ni_(48) Fe_2 Nb_x(x=0,0.6,0.8,1.0,and 1.2) alloys was investigated using differential scanning calorimeter(DSC),mechanical drawing machine,and microhardness tester in this paper.It is indicated that the aging treatment has a significant effect on the phase transformation temperatures(M_s,M_f,M_p,A_s,A_f,and A_p) and microhardness of the samples.The phase transformation temperatures are found to decrease initially with the increasing aging temperature from 300 to 500 ℃ and increase with further increase of the aging temperature.The aging treatment at intermediate temperature between 400 and 500 ℃ results in an improved shape memory effect.In addition,the highest microhardness value is also obtained.

Microstructure and corrosion behavior of NiTi shape memory alloys sintered in the SPS process

NiTi shape memory alloys(SMAs) was developed using the spark-plasma sintering(SPS) process with different average particle size(45 μm and 10 μm) under various temperature. The influence of particle size and temperature on the density, microstructure, and corrosion behavior of the NiTi in simulated body fluid was examined. The porosity decreased with increasing sintering temperature and decreasing particle size, which resulted in an increase in density of the alloy. Increasing the sintering temperature led to the formation of Ni-and Ti-rich intermetallic such as Ni3Ti and NiTi2. The formation of these secondary phases influenced the corrosion behavior of NiTi by changing its chemical composition. The planar structure of NiTi was transformed into a dendritic structure at 900℃, which resulted in the formation of uniform oxide and phosphate layers on the entire surface. A high corrosion potential and low corrosion current density were achieved with NiTi prepared with 10 μm particles at 900℃, which exhibited superior corrosion resistance.

勘测机器人SMA驱动器特性研究

为准确获取SMA驱动的勘测机器人驱动器性能,采用大变形多晶形状记忆合金马氏体相变的三维本构模型描述SMA力学关系,嵌入UMAT用户自定义材料子程序,建立了SMA驱动器的有限元分析模型。研究表明,SMA丝直径对驱动器性能影响较大,驱动器输出力随SMA丝直径增大而增大。研究方法可为同类型的SMA力学性能描述提供参考,研究结果可指导SMA驱动器的设计。