Surface Composition and Corrosion Property of TiNi Alloys Coated with Tantalum Films

Multi-arc ion plating method was employed to coat TiNi alloys with Ta in order to improve radiopacity and corrosion resistance property. The surface composition, corrosion resistance property and Ni ions release amount of TiNi alloys coated with Ta films compared with TiNi alloys, are investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), electrochemical measurements and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), respectively. The results show that the coated surface composition is composed of Ta and 0 and the corrosion resistance is improved, whereas the Ni ions release amount of the coated sample is lower than that of the uncoated samples in the whole immersion period, indicating that Ta coating can improve the biocompatibility of TiNi alloys.

Calcium phosphate deposition on surface of porous and dense TiNi alloys in simulated body fluid

Porous and dense TiNi alloys were successfully fabricated by powder metallurgy(P/M) method, and to further improve their surface biocompatibility, surface modification techniques including grind using silicon-carbide(SiC) paper, acid etching and alkali treatment were employed to produce either irregularly rough surface or micro-porous surface roughness. X-ray diffractometry(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX) attached to SEM were used to characterize surface structure and the Ca-P coatings. Effects of the above surface treatments on the surface morphology, apatite forming ability were systematically investigated. Results indicate that all the above surface treatments increase the apatite forming ability of TiNi alloys in varying degrees when soaked in simulated body fluid(SBF). More apatite coatings formed on TiNi samples sintered at 1050℃ and 1100℃ due to their high porosity and pure TiNi phase that is beneficial to heterogeneous nucleation. Furthermore, more uniform apatite was fabricated on the sample sintered from the mixture of Ni and Ti powders.

Deposition of DLC Coating on Biomedical TiNi Alloys by Plasma Based Ion Implantation to Improve Surface Properties

Diamond-like carbon （DLC） films were successfully deposited on Ti- 50.8 at% Ni using plasma based ion implantation （PBII） technique. The influence of the pulsed negative bias voltage applied to the substrate from 12 kV to 40 kV on the microstracture, nano-indentation hardness and Young＇ s modulus, the surface characteristics and corrosion resistant property as well as hemocompatibility were investigated. The experimental resalts showed that C 1 s peak depended heavily on the bias voltage. With the increase of bias voltage, the ratio of sp2 / sp3 first decreased, reaching a minimum value at 20 kV, and then increased. The DLC coating deposited at 20 kV showed the highest hardness and elastic modulus values as a result of lower sp2/sp3 ratio. The RMS values first decreased from 7.202nm（12 kV） to 5.279 nm（20 kV）, and then increased to 11.449 nm（30 kV） and 7.060 nm（ 40 kV）. The uncoated TiNi alloy showed severe pitting corrosion, due to the presence of Cl-ions in the solution. On the contrary, the DLC coated sample showed very little pitting corrosion and behaved better corrosion resistant property especially for the specimens deposited at 20 kV bias voltages. The platelet adhesion test show that the hemocompatibility of DLC coated TiNi alloy is much better than that of bare TiNi alloy, and the hemocompatibility performance of DLC coated TiNi alloy deposited at 20 kV is superior to that of other coated specimens.

Actuation Mechanism of Two-step Reverse Transformation Behavior in TiNi Alloys Deformed at Parent Phase

The actuation mechanism of TiNi shape memory alloy wires, which were deformed at parent phase followed by a cooling process under constant strain constraint, was investigated. The experimental results show that the two-step reverse martensitic transformation behavior occurs during the heating process, and the temperature range of reverse transformation was obviously widened with the increasing of prestrain. The recovery strain vs temperature curves exhibits an actuation characteristic of linear output recovery strain in a wide temperature range.

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.

Reverse Transformation Behavior of TiNi Shape Memory Alloys Prestrained in the Parent Phase

The reverse martensitic transformation of TiNi alloy wires prestrained in the parent phase was studied. Experimental results shou, that the reverse transformation of the TiNi allogys prestrained in the parent phase is significantly different from that of the TiNi alloys prestrained in the martensite phase. Three continual peaks appear on the DSC curves of wires with a small prestrain and one high temperature peak appears on the DSC curves of wires with a large prestrain.

Microstructure and properties of laser micro welded joint of TiNi shape memory alloy

Butt welding of 0.2 mm-thick TiNi shape memory alloy sheet （SMA） was carried out using impulse laser, and tensile strength, fracture morphology, microstructure and phase change behaviour of welded joint were studied. The results show that using impulse laser can realize good butt welding of TiNi SMA sheet, tensile strength of welded joint is 683 MPa, which achieves 97% of that of cold rolled base metal, and the fracture mode of welded joint is ductile type as well as base metal. The welded joint can be divided into four zones according to grain size and microstructure. The microstructures of welded seam center zone are fine equiaxed crystals and the microstructures of both lower surface and upper surface edge zones are columnar crystals. When welded joint is vacuum annealed after welding, the phase transformation process is basically similar to the annealed base metal.

Surface modification with SiO_2 coating on biomedical TiNi shape memory alloy by sol-gel method

The effect of heat treatment on the transformation temperature of Ti?52.2%Ni (mole fraction) alloy was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The transformation temperatures of the alloy can be adjusted effectively by heat treatment. Dense and stable SiO2 coatings were deposited on the surface of the pre-oxidized TiNi alloy by sol?gel method. The bonding strength of films and matrix was (65.9±1.5) N. The electrochemical corrosion test shows that the TiNi alloy with SiO2 coating has excellent corrosion resistance in the Hank’s simulated body fluid. The release behaviors of Ni ion of the alloy with and without SiO2 coating implanted in the acoustic vesicle of guinea pig were studied by EDS testing, which was inhibited effectively by the dense and stable SiO2 coating on the alloy.

Calculation of phase diagram of Ti-Ni-O system and application to deoxidation of TiNi alloy

The Ti-Ni-O ternary system was assessed by means of Calphad method using ternary experimental data in previous study.Isothermal sections at 1 173 and 1 273 K were calculated.The result shows that the present calculated results are in good agreement with most of the experimental results.The consistent model parameter set determined in this work may provide theoretical guidance for the deoxidation of TiNi alloy.

IN SITU TEM STUDY ON THE R-PHASE TRANSFORMATION IN TiNi ALLOY

The R-phase transformation process in selected TiNi alloys has been studied in great detail by using in situ TEM technique. The R-phase transformation was found to be a reversible thermoelastic displacive transformation with a nucleation and growth process. The R-phase nucleates at the precipitate/matrix interface in aged specimens and grows by moving the coherent R/matrix interfaces. The stress field of Ti3Ni4 precipitates plays a much more important role in the formation of the R-phase than dislocations in aged TiNi alloy. The microstructure of the R-phase has also been studied.

Microstructures and properties of capacitor discharge welded joint of TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel

Microstructures and properties of capacitor discharge welded （CDW） joint of TiNi shape memory alloy （ SMA ） and stainless steel （SS） were studied. The fracture characteristics of the joint were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope （ SEM）. Microstructures of the joint were examined by means of optical microscope and SEM. The results showed that the teusile strength of the inhomogeneous joint （ TiNi-SS joint） was low and the joint was brittle. Because TiNi SMA and SS melted, a brittle as-cast structure and compound were formed in the weld. The tensile strength and the shape memory effect （SME） of TiNi-SS joint were strongly influenced by the changes of composition and structure of the weld. Measures should be taken to prevent defects from forming and extruding excessive molten metal in the weld for improving the properties of TiNi-SS joint.

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.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of laser-welded TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel wires

The Nd ： YAG laser welding was used to join the TiNi shape memory alloy and AISI304 stainless steel wires. The microstructural features of the dissimilar material joint were analyzed. The tensile and hardness tests were carried out to examine the mechanical properties and microhardness distribution of the welded joint. The results show that the joint has the non-homogeneous microstructure and element distribution. The brittle phases such as Fe2 Ti , Fe Ti , Cr2 Ti , Ti3 Ni4, Feo 2 Ni4.s Ti5 and TiN mainly segregate in rich Ti region of fusion zone. The laser-welded joint has the tensile strength of 298 MPa with the elongation of 3.72 % and exhibits the brittle fracture features on the fracture surfaces. The reasons for low joint strength were discussed in this investigation.

PREPARATION OF TiNi SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY POROSINT BY SHS

TiNi shape memory alloy porosint, a promising artificial bone material, was prepared by self propagating high temperature synthesis method. It is found that the key technical parameter affecting the porosity, the shape and distribution of the bores in the synthesized product is the pre heating temperature of green compact. While the pre heating temperature varies between 523 K and 673 K, the TiNi shape memory alloy porosint with wholly homogeneously distributing bores will be gained. The porosity of the porosint is 70% when the pre heating temperature is near 673 K, which is maximal under different pre heating temperatures. The compressive strength of TiNi SMA porosint with a porosity of 70% manufactured by SHS is up to 100 MPa and the percentage recovered is 92%.

Analysis on the joint tensile strength and fractography of TiNi shape memory alloy precise pulse resistance butt welding

This paper studies mechanical property and fractography of the welded joints obtained in different welding parameters such as welding heat and welding press with/without gas shield in TiNi shape memory alloy precise pulse resistance butt welding using tensile strength test, XRD, SEM and TEM measures. The optimum welding parameters obtaining high tensile strength welded joint are got. On the condition of welding press magneting current 2 A and welding heat 75%, the joint strength is the highest. This is important for to study other properties of TiNi shape memory alloy further. The experimental results state that argon gas shield have different effects on different welding parameters, less on welding press, but great on welding heat. But excessive welding press and welding heat have great effects on joint tensile strength. Too high welding heat can produce the new intermetallic compound, this intermetallic compound lead to dislocation density to increase and form the potential crack initiation, which can easily make the joint fracture under stress effect and decrease the shape memory ratio of joint for high density dislocation groups existing in the twinned martensite.

The Reverse Transformation Behavior of TiNi Shape Memory Alloy Wires Prestrained at Different Temperatures

The reverse transformation behavior of TiNi alloy wires prestrained at different temperatures is studied in this paper. Experimental results show that prestrain at different temperatures obviously affects the reverse transformation behavior of the TiNi alloy wire. A single peak appears on the DSC curves of wires prestrained at 253-313K (in the martensite state). However deformed at 333K, three consecutive peaks appear on the DSC curves of wires with a smaller prestrain and a single peak appears on the DSC curves of the wires with a larger prestrain. The recovery strain ratio of the wires prestrained at 253-313K are very similar. However, the ratio of the wire predeformed at 333K is obviously smaller than that of the wire prestrained in the martensite state.

Evolution of TiNi precipitates in TiNi alloy during equal channel angular pressing

The evolution of Ti3Ni4 precipitates in Ti49.2Ni50.8 alloy during equal channel angular pressing(ECAP) and intermediate annealing was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The solution-treated Ti49.2Ni50.8 alloy was aged at 450 ℃ for 10 to 60 min to obtain Ti3Ni4 precipitates ranging from 37 to 75 nm. After ECAP at 450 ℃ for one pass, Ti3Ni4 precipitates introduced by aging for 10 and 30 min totally dissolve into the matrix;however, those produced by aging for 60 min become smaller. The critical size of Ti3Ni4 precipitates to totally dissolve into matrix is determined to be in the range of 37-68 nm. The dislocation density of ECAP-processed samples depends on the initial size of Ti3Ni4 precipitates after aging. With increasing the duration of initial aging from 10 to 60 min, the dislocation density firstly increases and then decreases.

Effect of Thermal Cycling under Load on Martensite Transformation and Two-way Shape Memory Effect in a TiNi Alloy

The effect of thermal cycling under loading on martensitic transformation and two-way shape memory effect was investigated for Ti-49.8 at, pet Ni alloy. It is shown that M(s), and M(f) temperature increase with increasing the number of cycles, while A(s) and A(f) temperature decrease during thermal cycling. The total strain at and permanent strain epsilon (p) increase with increasing applied stress and number of cycles. The two-way shape memory effect can be improved by proper thermal cycling training under loading, while excessively high applied stress results in the deterioration of TWSME. The reason for the changes in martensitic transformation characteristics and two-way shape memory effect during thermal cycling under loading is discussed based on the analysis of microstructure by TEM observations.

Deformation temperature and postdeformation annealing effects on severely deformed TiNi alloy by equal channel angular extrusion

Micron TiNi alloy blocks were fabricated at high temperature by equal channel angular extrusion （ECAE） using hotforged Ti-50.3at%Ni alloy as the raw material and the effects of deformation temperature and postdeformation annealing on the severely deformed TiNi alloy by ECAE were investigated. The results show that the TiNi alloy processed by ECAE undergoes severe plastic deformation, and lowering the deformation temperature and increasing the number of extrusions contribute to grain refinement. When the annealing temperature is below 873 K, static recovery is the main restoration process; when the temperature rises to 973 K, static recrystallization occurs. It is found that fine particles are precipitated when the TiNi alloy processed by ECAE is annealed at 773 K.

Influence of Pseudoelasticity on Mechanical Behavior of TiNi Alloy under Dynamic Impact Loading

The mechanical behavior of TiNi alloy and Cr12MoV alloy under dynamic impact loading was investigated with a self-made impact testing system. The real-time contact force was measured with a piezoelectric force sensor and digital signal processing system during impact. Equations for predicting instantaneous velocity anti displacement were presented. The results showed that the TiNi alloy exhibited a plateau of maximum contact force with increasing impact height. At the plateau stage, TiNi alloy in the parent phase can absorb impact energy and keep the maximum contact force nearly identical due to its pseudoelasticity.