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 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.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

Surface properties of nitrogen-ion-implanted TiNi shape memory alloy

X-ray diffraction （XRD）, auger electron spectroscopy （AES）, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） were used to characterize the surface properties of the N^ ＋-ion-implanted TiNi alloy. There is a high nitrogen content region at the outermost surface of the N^＋-ion-implanted TiNi alloy. The detected nitrogen exists mainly in the form of TiN. Small amounts of Ti305 and TiO2 also exist on the surface of the N^＋-ion-implanted TiNi sample. The modified layer of the N^＋-ion-implanted sample can work as an obstacle layer of the nickel＇s dissolution, which obstructs Ni dissolving from the TiNi surface effectively.

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

The fracture characteristics of the joint were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope. Microstructures of the joint were examined by means of optical microscope, SEM and an image analyzer. The results show that the tensile strength of the inhomogeneous joint of TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel is lower than that of the homogeneous joint and a plastic field appears in the heat affected zone on the side of TiNi shape memory alloy. Because TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel melted, a brittle as-cast structure was formed in the weld. The tensile strength and the shape memory effect of the inhomogeneous joint are strongly influenced by the changes of composition and structure of the joint. Measures should be taken to reduce the base metal melting and prevent the weld metal from the invasion by O for improving the properties of the TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel inhomogeneous joint.

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.

TiNi Shape Memory Alloy Foams Synthesized by Spacer Sintering and their Properties

Titanium(Ti)and nickel(Ni)elemental powders were blended by ball milling and the ball milled powders were employed to fabricate TiNi shape memory alloy(SMA)foams by spacer sintering.Effect of ball milling time on phase constitutes of the sintered TiNi alloy foams was studied by X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)was used to characterize the porous structure,and compressive tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties of the foams.Results indicate that porosities of the TiNi alloy foams can be controlled by using the spacer sintering method,and the porosities show a significant effect on the mechanical properties and shape memory effect(SME).

OXIDE FILM ON EQUIATOMIC TiNi SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY

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The Two-step Reverse Martensitic Transformations of TiNi Shape Memory Alloy Based on Solution-treatment and Aging

A TiNi-alloy is solution-treated in a vacuum furnace of 6.7×10^-3 Pa at 1 223 K for 3.6 ks, and then aged at 773 K for 1.8 ks. The differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） measurements show that after the heat-treatment, takes place a two-step reverse Martensitic transformation, from which results the two-stage recovery strain in a prestrained Martensitic TiNi-alloy wire during heating. The Vickers microhardness indentation test in cross-sectional areas of the TiNi-alloy wire indicates the compositional heterogeneity between its surface layers and its inside. The fact that the sizes of the indentation in surface layers smaller than those in the inside bears witness to the existence of slightly harder surface layers. It is believed that these phenomena are related to the compositional fluctuation caused by the evaporation and oxidization of Ti-element during the solution-treatment and heterogeneity formed during the subsequent aging treatment.

MARTENSITE AND REVERSE TRANSFORMATION IN PRE-STRAINED TiNi SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY THIN FILM

The effect of pre-strain on phase transformation of TiNi shape memory alloy film was studied by differential scanning calorimeter measurement (DSC). Compared with un-defarmed TiNi film, the reverse transformation of pre-strained specimens was elevated to a higher temperature on the first heating, but martensite and reverse transformation on subsequent thermal cycles occurred at a lower temperature. The evolution of transformation behavior in pre-strained TiNi film was related to the change of elastic strain energy, irreversible energy and internal stress field.

Numerical Simulation of Mechanical Behaviors of the TiNi Shape Memory Alloy Welded Joints in the Precise Pulse Resistance Butt-Welding

The hysteresis unit system was introduced to mechanical structure behavior of the TiNi SMA joint based on the structure characteristics of the martensite variants in the joints, and some functions reflecting its inner structure characteristics and micro-behavior such as density function, phase transformation function were set up from micro-points. Finally, the structure behavior relationship and corresponding mathematic model reflecting the relationship among hysteresis strain, stress and phase transformation strain were provided, which could predict the stress-strain behavior of the TiNi SMA joint to large extent.

Fatigue Crack Propagation Behavior of TiNi_(50.6)Shape Memory Alloy

The fatigue crack propagation behavior of TiNi50.6 shape memory alloy was studied. The ex- periment results showed that the crack propagation properties of this alloy display difference and similarity in comparison with common metallic materials. Because of the stress concentra- tion there was stress induced martensite transformation (SIMT) near the crack tip though the nominal stress was lower than the threshold stress of SIMT. The position and the amount of SIMT was in situ observed by a quester remote measurement system (QRMS). The observation results showed that the position of SIMT was beside the crack tip and was not in the plastic zone of common metallic materials (in front of the crack tip). The SIMT zone at an angle of about 45°to the direction of the crack propagation, like a butterfly,appeared in the loading process, disappeared in the unloading process and grew larger with the increase of K. The crack propagation rate(da/dN) followed the linear law in lg-lg plot. Observation of the crack surface showed fatigue striation clearly. The relationship between the site and the size of the plastic zone and the SIMT zone is discussed and a model is given to explain both the similarity and the difference of the crack propagation property of TiNi50.6 to common metal materials.

Modification of the Recovery Behavior of TiNi Shape Memory Alloy(SMA)by Chemical Heat Treatment

In order to improve the linear recovery behavior, TiNi shape memory alloy springs were samariumed at 550°C for 4 hours with SmH3 as samarium source, in a vacuum furnace. The phase of samariumed layer was determined by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The fracture surface of TiNi SMA spring was investigated by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The experimental results indicate that a thick samariumed layer composed of NiSm intermetallics existed on the fracture surface. Additionally, a new idea of linear recovery behavior in shape memory alloy (SMA) has been proposed, and its properties have been defined. The reversion measurements show that the linear recovery properties of TiNi SMA were obviously improved. The temperature range of the linear reversion (Tw) was enlarged from 4°C to 8’C, The ratio of linear reversion was increased from 54% to 75%, the proportion of linear reversion (PL) was increased from 56% to 70%, and the proportion of non-linear reversion (Ps) was decreased from 44% to 10%, but the proportion of total reversion (PT) has a little decrease. These results were attributed to the strengthening effect of NiSm intermetallics.