Experimental investigation of the cyclic degradation of the one-way shape memory effect of NiTi alloys

Based on stress-and strain-controlled cyclic tension-unloading-heat-cooling tests,cyclic degradation of the one-way shape memory effect(OWSME)of NiTi shape memory alloys(SMAs)was investigated.It was seen,in thermo-mechanical coupled cyclic tests,that residual strain after each cycle accumulated,but the martensite reorientation stress and dissipation energy-per-cycle decreased as the number of cycles increased.Meanwhile,the cyclic degradation of OWSME was aggravated by increasing the stress/strain amplitude.In addition,the stress-strain response of NiTi SMAs was further investigated by performing simultaneous thermo-mechanical coupled cyclic tests with various phase-angle differences between the mechanical and thermal cyclic loadings.It can be concluded that such cyclic response depends significantly on prescribed phase-angle differences.Obtained experimental results are helpful for both the development of constitutive models and engineering applications of NiTi SMAs.

SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT OF PU IONOMERS WITH IONIC GROUPS ON HARD-SEGMENTS

SMPU （shape memory polyurethane） non-ionomers and ionomers, synthesized with poly（c-caprolactone） （PCL）, 4, 4＇-diphenylmethane diisocyanate （MDI）, 1,4-butanediol （BDO）, dimethylolpropionic acid （DMPA） were measured with cyclic tensile test and strain recovery test. The relations between the structure and shape memory effect of these two series were studied with respect to the ionic group content and the effect of neutralization. The resulting data indicate that, with the introduction of asymmetrical extender, the stress at 100% elongation is decreased for PU non-ionomer and ionomer series, especially lowered sharply for non-ionomer series; the fixation ratio of ionomer series is not affected obviously by the ionic group content; the total recovery ratio of ionomer series is decreased greatly. After sufficient relaxation time for samples stretched beforehand, the switching temperature is raised slightly, whereas the recovery ratio measured with strain recovery test method is lowered with increased DMPA content. The characterization with FT-IR, DSC, DMA elucidated that, the ordered hard domain of the two series is disrupted with the introduction of DMPA which causes more hard segments to dissolve in soft phase; ionic groups on hard segment enhance the cohesion between hard segments especially at high ionic group content and significantly facilitate the phase separation compared with the corresponding non-ionomer at moderate ionic group content.

A macroscopic multi-mechanism based constitutive model for the thermo-mechanical cyclic degeneration of shape memory effect of NiTi shape memory alloy

A macroscopic based multi-mechanism constitutive model is constructed in the framework of irreversible thermodynamics to describe the degeneration of shape memory effect occurring in the thermo-mechanical cyclic deformation of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs). Three phases, austenite A, twinned martensite and detwinned martensite , as well as the phase transitions occurring between each pair of phases (, , , , and are considered in the proposed model. Meanwhile, two kinds of inelastic deformation mechanisms, martensite transformation-induced plasticity and reorientation-induced plasticity, are used to explain the degeneration of shape memory effects of NiTi SMAs. The evolution equations of internal variables are proposed by attributing the degeneration of shape memory effect to the interaction between the three phases (A, , and and plastic deformation. Finally, the capability of the proposed model is verified by comparing the predictions with the experimental results of NiTi SMAs. It is shown that the degeneration of shape memory effect and its dependence on the loading level can be reasonably described by the proposed model.

STABILIZATION OF MARTENSITE IN Cu-Zn-Al ALLOY AND ITS REVERSE SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT

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Buckling-controlled two-way shape memory effect in a ring-shaped bilayer

Shape memory polymers(SMPs)usually have a one-way shape memory effect.In this paper,an easy-operating method to realize a two-way shape memory effect was demonstrated in a ring-shaped bilayer structure where the two layers are SMPs with different thermal transition temperatures.By designing specific thermomechanical processes,the mismatched deformation between the two layers leads to a morphology change of ring-shaped bilayer structures from a smooth ring to a gear-like buckling shape under cooling and a reversible recovery to the smooth shape under heating.Such a morphology change is ascribed to occurrence and recovery of thermoelastic buckling.This method was validated by finite element simulation.We experimentally investigated the influence of pre-strain on buckling,and it was found that both the buckling occurrence and recovery temperature vary with pre-strain.Furthermore,considering a ring-shaped SMP-SMP bilayer structure,finite element analysis was conducted to study the influence of film thickness and modulus ratio of two layers on buckling behavior.The results showed that the critical buckling wavelength was greatly influenced by film thickness and modulus ratio.W e made a theoretical analysis that accorded well with the numerical results.

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.

EFFECTS OF HEAT TREATMENT ON TENSILE PROPERTIES AND SHAPE MEMORY EFFECTS OF Ni-Ti-Nb ALLOY

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EFFECT OF DYNAMIC RECRYSTALLIZATION ON SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT IN Fe－Mn－Si BASED ALLOYS

Improvement of shape, memory effect (SME) in Fe-Mn-Si based alloys has been investigated, compared with that by conventional 'training' treatment. It is found that SME in Fe-Mn-Si alloy can be greatly improved by ausforming and 3.8%recovery strain and 2.2% complete recovery strain can be reached by ausforming at 973 K when dynamic recrystallization has just occurred. The mechanism for the improvement of SME is proposed.

Effects of Ta Addition on NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

The effect of Ta addition on the martensitic transformation characteristics and the X-ray visibility on NiTi shape memory alloy have been studied in (Ni51Ti49)1-xTax system. It was found that the transformation temperatures of the Ni51Ti49 binary alloy increased drastically by an addition of 0～4 at. pet Ta, but only slightly when the concentration exceeded 4 at. pct; the addition of Ta greatly decreases the sensitivity of the martensitic transformations to the variation in the Ni-Ti ratio. The addition of Ta to the NiTi binary alloy can improve its X-ray visibility.

Microwave sintering effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–51at%Ni shape memory alloys

Ti–51at%Ni shape memory alloys(SMAs) were successfully produced via a powder metallurgy and microwave sintering technique.The influence of sintering parameters on porosity reduction,microstructure,phase transformation temperatures,and mechanical properties were investigated by optical microscopy,field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),compression tests,and microhardness tests.Varying the microwave temperature and holding time was found to strongly affect the density of porosity,presence of precipitates,transformation temperatures,and mechanical properties.The lowest density and smallest pore size were observed in the Ti–51at%Ni samples sintered at 900°C for 5 min or at 900°C for 30 min.The predominant martensite phases of β2 and β19′ were observed in the microstructure of Ti–51at%Ni,and their existence varied in accordance with the sintering temperature and the holding time.In the DSC thermograms,multi-transformation peaks were observed during heating,whereas a single peak was observed during cooling;these peaks correspond to the presence of the β2,R,and β19′ phases.The maximum strength and strain among the Ti–51at%Ni SMAs were 1376 MPa and 29%,respectively,for the sample sintered at 900°C for 30 min because of this sample's minimal porosity.

Effect of Training on Two-way Shape Memory Effect and Its Stability in a Ti-Ni-Hf High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy

The Effect of the thermal cycling training under constant strain on the two-way shape memory effect (TWSME) in a Ti36l\li49Hf15 high temperature shape memory alloy (SMA) has been investigated by bending tests. The results indicated that the training procedure is beneficial to get the better TWSME. The two-way shape memory strain increases with increasing the training strain. And it decreases with increasing the training temperature. The TWSME obtained in the present alloy shows poorer stability compared with that obtained in the TiNi alloys.

Effects of aging on the microstructure of a Cu-Al-Ni-Mn shape memory alloy

The influence of aging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-11.6wt%Al-3.9wt%Ni-2.5wt%Mn shape memory alloy（SMA） was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,transmission electron microscopy（TEM）,X-ray diffractometer,and differential scanning calorimeter（DSC）.Experimental results show that bainite,γ2,and α phase precipitates occur with the aging effect in the alloy.After aging at 300°C,the bainitic precipitates appear at the early stages of aging,while the precipitates of γ2 phase are observed for a longer aging time.When the aging temperature increases,the bainite gradually evolves into γ2 phase and equilibrium α phase（bcc） precipitates from the remaining parent phase.Thus,the bainite,γ2,and α phases appear,while the martensite phase disappears progressively in the alloy.The bainitic precipitates decrease the reverse transformation temperature while the γ2 phase precipitates increase these temperatures with a decrease of solute content in the retained parent phase.On the other hand,these precipitations cause an increasing in hardness of the alloy.

Effect of thermal oxidation on the surface characteristics and corrosion behavior of a Ta-implanted Ti-50.6Ni shape memory alloy

A NiTi shape memory alloy （SMA） modified by Ta ion implantation was subjected to oxidation treatment in air at 723 and 873 K. Atomic force microscopy （AFM）, Auger electron spectroscopy （AES）, and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction （GIXRD） measurements were conducted to investigate the surface characteristics, including surface topography, elemental depth profiles, and surface phase structures. The surface roughness of the Ta-implanted NiTi increases after oxidation, and the higher the oxidation temperature is, the larger the value is. The surface of the Ta-implanted NiTi oxidized at 723 K is a nanolayer mainly composed of TiO2/Ta2O5 and TiO with depressed Ni content. The Ta-implanted NiTi oxidized at 873 K is mainly covered by rutile TiO2 in several micrometers of thickness. Potentiodynamic polarization tests indicated that the corrosion resistance of the Ta-implanted NiTi was improved after thermal oxidation at 723 K, but a negative impact was found for the Ta-implanted NiTi oxidized at 873 K.

Microstructure,compression property and shape memory effect of Ru-Nb high temperature shape memory alloy

The microstructure,phase transformation,compression property and strain recovery characteristics of equiatomic Ru-Nb high temperature shape memory alloy were investigated by means of optical microscope,X-ray diffraction(XRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),compression tests and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).When cooling the alloy specimen from high temperature to room temperature,β(parent phase)→β’(interphase)→β″(martensite) two step phase transformation occurs.The microstructure at room temperature shows regularly arranged band morphology with the monoclinic crystal structure.The twinning relationship between the martensite bands was determined to be(101) Type I.Reorientation and of the martensite bands inside the variant and dislocation were found during compression at room temperature.The maximum complete recovery strain is about 1.5%.

MICROSTRUCTURE AND REVERSE SHAPE MEMORY EFFECT IN A Cu-Zn-Al ALLOY

The bainite structure in a Cu-Zn-A1 alloy related to the reverse shape memory effect has been observed by means of TEM.The reverse memory effect may be improved by up to one order of magnitude under applied constraint stress.The widespread propagation of bainite was confirmed to be the diffusion controlled shear process by the parabolic configuration of side interface of bainite plate and the twisting of intersected bainite plates.

Martensite Aging Effect and Thermal Cyclic Characteristics in Ti-Pd and Ti-Pd-Ni High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys

The effect of thermal cycling and aging in martensitic state in Ti-Pd-Ni alloys were investigated by DSC and TEM observations. It is shown that the thermal cycling causes the decreases in M8 and Af temperatures in Ti50Pd50-xNix, (x=10, 20, 30) alloys, but no obvious thermal cycling effect was observed in Ti50Pd50Pd40Ni10 alloys and the aging effect shows a curious feature, i.e., the Af temperature does not saturate even after relatively long time aging, which is considered to be due to the occurrence of recovery recrystallization during aging.

Effects of aging treatment on the microstructure and superelasticity of columnar-grained Cu71Al18Mn11 shape memory alloy

The effect of aging treatment on the superelasticity and martensitic transformation critical stress in columnar-grained Cu_（71）Al_（18）Mn_（11） shape memory alloy（SMA） at the temperature ranging from 250°C to 400°C was investigated. The microstructure evolution during the aging treatment was characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the plate-like bainite precipitates distribute homogeneously within austenitic grains and at grain boundaries. The volume fraction of bainite increases with the increase in aging temperature and aging time, which substantially improves the martensitic transformation critical stress of the alloy, whereas the bainite only slightly affects the superelasticity. This behavior is attributed to a coherent relationship between the bainite and the austenite, as well as to the bainite and the martensite exhibiting the same crystal structure. The variations of the martensitic transformation critical stress and the superelasticity of columnar-grained Cu_（71）Al_（18）Mn_（11） SMA with aging-temperature and aging time are described by the Austin-Rickett equation, where the activation energy of bainite precipitation is 77.2 kJ ·mol1. Finally, a columnar-grained Cu_（71）Al_（18）Mn_（11） SMA with both excellent superelasticity（5%-9%） and high martensitic transformation critical stress（443-677 MPa） is obtained through the application of the appropriate aging treatments.

Two-way Shape Memory Effect in a Ti-Ni-Nb Shape Memory Alloy with Wide Hysteresis

A two-way shape memory effect (TWSM E) in the Ti46.3Ni44.7Nb9 alloy has been systematically investigated by means of bending test and transmission electron microscopy (TEM ) observations. Based on the analysis of the microstructure after training. the mechanism of TWSME in the Ti46.3 Ni44.7Nb9 alloy has been discussed.

Effect of Pre-strain on the Transformation and Recovery Behaviours of a Ti_(44)Ni_(47)Nb_9 Shape Memory Alloy

The recovery strain, stress and transformation temperature of different pre-strained specimens of Ti44Ni47Nb9 were investigated by tensile test and electrical resistance measurement. The results indicated that pre-strain increases the reverse martensitic transformation temperature (As) and hysteresis (As-Ms). The recovery strain and stress are higher if the specimens are pre-strained between Ms and As temperature than outside this temperature range. There exists an optimal pre-strain value, about 10%, at which the specimen exhibits maximum recovery strain and stress.

New finite strain elastoplastic equations for accurately and explicitly simulating pseudoelastic-to-plastic transition effects of shape memory alloys

A new finite strain elatoplastic J2-flow model with coupling effects of both isotropic and anisotropic hardening is proposed with the co-rotational logarithmic rate.In terms of certain single-variable shape functions representing uniaxial loading and unloading curves,explicit multi-axial expressions for the three hardening quantities incorporated in the new model proposed are derived in unified forms for the purpose of automatically and accurately simulating complex pseudoelastic-to-plastic transition effects of shape memory alloys(SMAs)under multiple loading-unloading cycles.Numerical examples show that with only a single parameter of direct physical meaning for each cycle,accurate and explicit simulations may be achieved for extensive data from multiple cycle tests.