Description of martensitic transformation kinetics in Fe-C-X(X = Ni,Cr,Mn,Si) system by a modified model

Controlling the content of athermal martensite and retained austenite is important to improving the mechanical properties of high-strength steels,but a mechanism for the accurate description of martensitic transformation during the cooling process must be addressed.At present,frequently used semi-empirical kinetics models suffer from huge errors at the beginning of transformation,and most of them fail to exhibit the sigmoidal shape characteristic of transformation curves.To describe the martensitic transformation process accurately,based on the Magee model,we introduced the changes in the nucleation activation energy of martensite with temperature,which led to the varying nucleation rates of this model during martensitic transformation.According to the calculation results,the relative error of the modified model for the martensitic transformation kinetics curves of Fe-C-X(X = Ni,Cr,Mn,Si) alloys reached 9.5% compared with those measured via the thermal expansion method.The relative error was approximately reduced by two-thirds compared with that of the Magee model.The incorporation of nucleation activation energy into the kinetics model contributes to the improvement of its precision.

Pre-existing orthorhombic embryos-induced hexagonal-orthorhombic martensitic transformation in MnNiSi_(1-x)(CoNiGe)_x alloy

The thermal-elastic martensitic transformation from high-temperature Ni_(2)In-type hexagonal structure to low-temperature TiNiSi-type orthorhombic structure has been widely studied in MnMX(M=Ni or Co,and X=Ge or Si)alloys.However,the answer to how the orthorhombic martensite nucleates and grows within the hexagonal parent is still unclear.In this work,the hexagonal-orthorhombic martensitic transformation in a Co and Ge co-substituted MnNiSi is investigated.One can find some orthorhombic laths embedded in the hexagonal parent at a temperature above the martensitic transformation start temperature(M_(s)).With the the sample cooing to M_(s),the laths turn broader,indicating that the martensitic transformation starts from these pre-existing orthorhombic laths.Microstructure observation suggests that these pre-existing orthorhombic laths do not originate from the hexagonal-orthorhombic martensitic transformation because of the difference between atomic occupations of doping elements in the hexagonal parent and those in the preexisting orthorhombic laths.The phenomenological crystallographic theory and experimental investigations prove that the pre-existing orthorhombic lath and generated orthorhombic martensite have the same crystallography relationship to the hexagonal parent.Therefore,the orthorhombic martensite can take these pre-existing laths as embryos and grow up.This work implies that the martensitic transformation in MnNiSi_(1-x)(CoNiGe)_(x) alloy is initiated by orthorhombic embryos.

First-principles calculations of Ni–(Co)–Mn–Cu–Ti all-d-metal Heusler alloy on martensitic transformation,mechanical and magnetic properties

The martensitic transformation,mechanical,and magnetic properties of the Ni_(2)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) (x=0.125,0.25,0.375,0.5) and Ni_(2-y)Co_(y)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5)[(x=0.125,y=0.125,0.25,0.375,0.5) and (x=0.125,0.25,0.375,y=0.625)]alloys were systematically studied by the first-principles calculations.For the formation energy,the martensite is smaller than the austenite,the Ni–(Co)–Mn–Cu–Ti alloys studied in this work can undergo martensitic transformation.The austenite and non-modulated (NM) martensite always present antiferromagnetic state in the Ni_(2)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) and Ni_(2-y)Co_(y)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) (y<0.625) alloys.When y=0.625 in the Ni_(2-y)Co_(y)Mn_(1.5-x)Cu_(x)Ti_(0.5) series,the austenite presents ferromagnetic state while the NM martensite shows antiferromagnetic state.Cu doping can decrease the thermal hysteresis and anisotropy of the Ni–(Co)–Mn–Ti alloy.Increasing Mn and decreasing Ti content can improve the shear resistance and normal stress resistance,but reduce the toughness in the Ni–Mn–Cu–Ti alloy.And the ductility of the Co–Cu co-doping alloy is inferior to that of the Ni–Mn–Cu–Ti and Ni–Co–Mn–Ti alloys.The electronic density of states was studied to reveal the essence of the mechanical and magnetic properties.

Relation between martensitic transformation temperature range and lattice distortion ratio of NiMnGaCoCu Heusler alloys

In order to study the relation between martensitic transformation temperature range AT （where AT is the difference between martensitic transformation start and finish temperature） and lattice distortion ratio （c/a） of martensitic transforma~ tion, a series of Ni46Mnz8_xGa22Co4Cux （x = 2-5） Heusler alloys is prepared by arc melting method. The vibration sample magnetometer （VSM） experiment results show that AT increases when x 〉 4 and decreases when x 〈 4 with x increasing, and the minimal AT （about 1 K） is found at x = 4. Ambient X-ray diffraction （XRD） results show that AT is proportional to c/a for non-modulated Ni46Mn28_xGa22Co4Cux （x = 2-5） martensites. The relation between AT and c/a is in agreement with the analysis result obtained from crystal lattice mismatch model. About 1000-ppm strain is found for the sample at x = 4 when heating temperature increases from 323 K to 324 K. These properties, which allow a modulation of AT and temperature-induced strain during martensitic transformation, suggest Ni46Mn24Ga22Co4Cu4 can be a promising actuator and sensor.

Effect of annealing temperature on martensitic transformation of Ti_(49.2)Ni_(50.8) alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

The effect of annealing temperature on the martensitic transformation of a Ti49.2Ni50.8 alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） was investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. The as-ECAP processed and subsequently annealed Ti49.2Ni50.8 alloys consist of B2 parent phase, Ti4Ni2O phase and B19′ martensite at room temperature. Upon cooling, all samples show B2→R→B19′ two-stage transformation. Upon heating, when the annealing temperature is less than 400℃, the samples show B19′→R→B2 two-stage transformation; when the annealing temperature is higher than 500 ℃, the samples show B19′→B2 single-stage transformation. The B2-R transformation is characterized by wide interval due to the dislocations introduced during ECAP.

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.

Effects of Predeformation on the Reverse Martensitic Transformation of TiNi Shape Memory Alloy

DSC was used to study the effects of predeformation on the reverse martensitic transformation of near-equiatomic TiNi alloy. Both the start temperature As and the finish temperature Af of the reverse transformation increased with increasing degree of predeformation, but the algebraic difference between As and Af decreased with increasing predeformation until it reached a minimum value, then remained unchanged with further deformation. Transformation heat also increased with increasing predeformation until it reached a maximum value, then decreased with further predeformation. All the phenomena above were considered to be closely related with the release of elastic strain energy during predeformation.

Martensitic Transformation and Magnetic-Field-Induced Strain in Ni-Mn-Ga-RE (RE=Tb, Sm) Alloys

The effects of microamount additions of RE (Tb, Sm) on martensitic transition, the magnetic-field-induced strain and the bending strength of highly textured polycrystalline Ni_(48)Mn_(33)Ga_(19) alloy were investigated. The experimental results show that the addition of RE elements decreases the martensitic transformation temperature and the Curie temperature. But the bending strength of Ni-Mn-Ga-RE (RE=Tb, Sm) alloys increases remarkably because of the grain refinement. As a result, Ni-Mn-Ga-RE alloys will be applied practically with higher reliability and stability due to favorable plasticity and toughness. In addition, the replacement of small amounts Ga by Tb or Sm decreases the magnetic-field-induced strain of the alloys at room temperature.

Martensitic Transformation and Magnetic-Field-Induced Strain in Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy NiMnGa Melt-Spun Ribbon

A magnetic shape memory alloy with nonstoichiometric Ni50Mn27Ga23 was prepared by using melt-spinning technology. The martensitic transformation and the magnetic-field-induced strain (MFIS) of the polycrystalline melt-spun ribbon were investigated. The experimental results showed that the melt-spun ribbons underwent thermal-elastic martensitic transformation and reverse transformation in cooling and heating process and exhibited typical thermo-elastic shape memory effect. However the start temperature for martensitic transformation decreased from 286 K for as-cast alloy to 254 K for as-quenched ribbon and Curie temperature remains approximately constant. A particular internal stress induced by melt-spinning resulted in the formation of a texture structure in the ribbons, which made the ribbons obtain larger martensitic transformation strain and MFIS. The internal stress was released substantially after annealing, which resulted in a decrease of MFIS of the ribbons.

Martensitic transformation of Ti-18Nb(at.%) alloy with zirconium

The addition of 3%～9% Zr on the martensitic transformation of Ti-18Nb(at.%) alloy was investigated. The results of microstructure and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that the phase constitution of as-quenched Ti-18Nb-9Zr(at.%) alloy consists of the retained matrix and martensite, while that of the other three alloys is single martensite. No trace of athermal phase was found in any of the as-quenched alloys. Unlike the effect of Nb addition on the martensitic transformation start temperature Ms of Ti-18Nb(at.%) alloy, Ms de-creased nonlinearly as increasing the Zr addition from 3% to 9% and Ms decreased much more sharply as increasing the Zr addition. The Ms of as-quenched Ti-18Nb-9Zr alloy was around room temperature. The effect of Zr addition on the phase stabilizing in the Ti-18Nb(at.%) alloy was briefly discussed.

EFFECT OF RESIDUAL STRESS ON THE MARTENSITIC TRANSFORMATION OF SPUTTER-DEPOSITED SMA THIN FILMS

TiNi thin films were sputter-deposited on circular single-crystal silicon substrates un-der various sputtering parameters. The crystal structure and residual stress of the as-deposited films were determined by X-ray diffraction and substrate-curvature method. The phenomenon of stress-suppressed martensitic transformation was observed. R is considered that the residual stresses in SMA thin films based on circular substrates act as balanced biaxial tensile stresses. The status of equilibrant delays the align-ment of self-accommodated variants and the volume shrinkage during the martensitic transformation.

HOT DEFORMATION AND MARTENSITIC TRANSFORMATION BEHAVIORS OF Fe-32%Ni ALLOY

The Hot deformation and martensitic transformation behaviors of Fe-32%Ni alloy was investigated by measurements of electrical resistance and X-ray diffraction. With the increase in strain, the austenite goes through from the work-hardened to the partial dynamcally re-crystallized and then to the completed dynamically re-crystallized. The martensitic transformation characteristics depend on the austenite states. The work-hardening in small strain is helpful to martensitic transformation due to the low dislocation density and little lattice distortion, while the high dislocation density and severe lattice distortion by the increase in strain will hinder the martensitic nucleation. Once dynamic re-crystallization （ DRX ） takes place, the martensitic transformation will be enhanced again, which is related to the heterogeneous dynamic substructures. The growing DRX grain can enhance the martensitic nucleation due to the low dislocation density near its grain boundary.

First-principles study on the effect of Hf content on martensitic transformation temperature of TiNiHf alloy

In this paper a first-principles study of the electronic structure and stability of B2 Ti1-xNiHfx （x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6） and B19′ Ti1-xNiHfx（x = 0, 0.5） alloys is presented. The calculations are performed by the plane-wave pseudopotential method in the framework of the density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation. This paper calculates the lattice parameters, density of states, charge density, and heats of formation. The results show that the electronic structure and stability of B2 Ti1-xNiHfx change gradually with Hf content. However, Hf content has little effect on the electronic structure and stability of B19′ Ti1-xNiHfx. The mechanism of the effect of Hf content on martensitic transformation temperature of TiNiHf alloys is studied from the electronic structure.

APPLICATION OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS IN MARTENSITIC TRANSFORMATION

This paper discuss the stereographic method of martensitic transformation (MT)in the view of computer graphics (CG) and programs are programmed to realize this method. Habit plane resulting from the programs agrees with that of numerical analysis in terms of the lattice parameters of austenite and martensite and shear mechanism supposed in Fe-22%Ni-0.8%C alloy, so does orientation relationships.

Martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of aged Ni-Fe-Ga-Ti shape memory alloy

This article reports the effect of ageing on the microstructure, martensitic transformation, magnetic properties, and mechanical properties of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 shape memory alloy. There are five specimens of this alloy aged at 573 up to 973 K for 3 h per each. This range of ageing temperature greatly affects the microstructure of the alloy. As the ageing temperature increased from 573 up to 973 K, the microstructure of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 alloy gradually changed from the entirely martensitic matrix at 573 K to the fully austenitic microstructure at 973 K. The volume fraction of precipi- tated Ni3Ti particles increased with the ageing temperature increasing from 573 to 773 K. Further increasing the ageing temperature to 973 K decreased the content of Ni3Ti in the microstructure. The martensitic transformation tempera- ture was decreased steadily by increasing the ageing temperature. The magnetization saturation, remnant magnetization, and coercivity increased with the ageing temperature increasing up to 773 K. A further increase in ageing temperature decreased these raagnetic properties. Moreover, the hardness values were gradually increased at first by increasing the ageing temperature to 773 K, and then dramatically decreased to the lowest value at 973 K.

THERMODYNAMICS OF MARTENSITIC TRANSFORMATION IN Fe-Mn-C AND Fe-Ni-C ALLOYS

A Central Atom Model is introduced and the LFG and Hsu models are modified in order to evaluate the driving force for the martensitic transformation in Fe-Mn-C and Fe-Ni-C al- loys.The results show that the relationship between the driving force and the yield strength of austenite at Ms temperature,σ_(0.2)~γ/M_s,fits Hsu's formula;ΔG~=2.1σ_(0.2)~γ/M_s+907 J/mol.The M_s temperatures of Fe-Mn-C and Fe-Ni-C alloys are also calculated.The calculated results are in good agreement with experimental values.

Martensitic Transformation in Fe-Mn-Si Based Shape Memory Alloys

The critical driving force for martensitic transformation fcc ( gamma ) yields hcp ( epsilon ) in ternary Fe-Mn-Si alloys increases with the content of Mn and decreases with that of Si. Thermodynamical prediction of M//s in ternary Fe-Mn-Si alloys was established. The fcc ( gamma ) yields hcp ( epsilon ) martensitic transformation in Fe-Mn-Si is a semi-thermoelastic and the nucleation process does not strongly depend on soft mode. Nucleation occurs directly through an overlapping of stacking fault rather than pole mechanism, and it is suggested that stacking fault energy (SFE) is the main factor controlling nucleation. Based on the phenomenological theory of martensite crystallography, a shuffle on (0001)//h//c//p plane is required when d//1//1//1 does not equal d//0//0//0//2. The derived principal strain in Bain distortion is smaller, i, e., more reasonable than the values given by Christian. Alloying elements strengthening the austenite, lowering SFE of gamma phase and reducing T//N** gamma temperature may be beneficial to shape memory effect of Fe-Mn-Si based alloys. Accordingly, Fe-Mn-Si-RE and Fe-Mn-Si-Cr-N (or Fe-Mn-Si-Ni-Cr-N) are worthy to be recommended as shape memory materials with improved shape memory effect. (Edited author abstract) 48 Refs.

Microstructure, martensitic transformation and mechanical properties of Ni-Mn-Sn alloys by substituting Fe for Ni

The effects of partial substitution of Fe element for Ni element on the structure,martensitic transformation and mechanicalproperties of Ni50-xFexMn38Sn12(x=0and3%,molar fraction)ferromagnetic shape memory alloys were investigated.Experimentalresults indicate that by substitution of Fe for Ni,the microstructure and crystal structure of the alloys change at room temperature.Compared with Ni50Mn38Sn12alloy,the martensitic transformation starting temperature of Ni47Fe3Mn38Sn12alloy is decreased by32.5K.It is also found that martensitic transformation occurs over a broad temperature window from288.9to352.2K.It is found that themechanical properties of Ni-Mn-Sn alloy can be significantly improved by Fe addition.The Ni47Fe3Mn38Sn12alloy achieves amaximum compressive strength of855MPa with a fracture strain of11%.Moreover,the mechanism of the mechanical propertyimprovement is clarified.Fe doping changes the fracture type from intergranular fracture of Ni50Mn38Sn12alloy to transgranularcleavage fracture of Ni47Fe3Mn38Sn12alloys.

Effect of Carbon on the Paramagnetic-Antiferromagnetic Transition and γ→εMartensitic Transformation of Fe-24Mn Alloys

The effect of C content (0.014-0.39 wt pct) on the paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition and γ→ε martensitic transformation of Fe-24Mn alloys has been investigated by the resistivity, dilation, tensile properties measurement and microstructure examination. The results have shown that C decreases T_N; increases the thermal expansion coefficients both above and below the T_N; increases the resistivity above the T_N and antiferromagnetic scattering resistivity below T_N. It strongly depresses the γ→ε martensitic transformation and reduces the M_s of Fe-24Mn alloys. Moreover, it increases the lattice parameter of austenite, enhances the tensile ductility, but almost does not affect the tensile strength. With increasing C content from 0.014 to 0.19 wt pct, the yield strength of Fe-24Mn alloy decreases obviously arising from the decreasing of preexisting ε martensite. but it increases from 0.19 to 0.39 wt pct C due to the solution hardening of C.

Multiple bifurcations and local energy minimizers in thermoelastic martensitic transformations

Thermoelastic martensitic transformations in shape memory alloys can be modeled on the basis of nonlinear elastic theory.Microstructures of fine phase mixtures are local energy minimizers of the total energy.Using a one-dimensional effective model,we have shown that such microstructures are inhomogeneous solutions of the nonlinear Euler-Lagrange equation and can appear upon loading or unloading to certain critical conditions,the bifurcation conditions.A hybrid numerical method is utilized to calculate the inhomogeneous solutions with a large number of interfaces.The characteristics of the solutions are clarified by three parameters：the number of interfaces,the interface thickness,and the oscillating amplitude.Approximated analytical expressions are obtained for the interface and inhomogeneity energies through the numerical solutions.