Open Access
Issue
ESOMAT 2009
2009
Article Number 02022
Number of page(s) 8
Section Principles, Simulations, Materials: Background
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/esomat/200902022
Published online 01 September 2009
ESOMAT 2009, 02022 (2009)
DOI: 10.1051/esomat/200902022

On the influence of crystal defects on the functional stability of NiTi based shape memory alloys

Burkhard Maass, Juri Burow, Jan Frenzel and Gunther Eggeler

Institute of Materials, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany

burkhard.maass@rub.de

Published online: 1 September 2009

Abstract
The cyclic application of the shape memory effect in NiTi based shape memory alloys is associated with a degradation of the functional properties. In the present work, we show how the functional stability of NiTi based shape memory alloys depends on various microstructural defects like grain boundaries, dislocations and substitutional elements (Fe replacing Ni). As a general trend, it was observed that thermal cycling results in a decrease in phase transformation temperatures. Nano-grained microstructures provide a significantly higher functional stability than coarse grained microstructures due to reduced dislocation activity. Cold work impedes phase transformation processes and provides a slight improvement of the functional stability. Fe additions to NiTi are associated with the occurance of two-step transformations (cooling: B2 ⇒ R ⇒ B19’, heating: B19’ ⇒ R ⇒ B2) which allow partial thermal cycling (B2 ⇔ R and R ⇔ B19’). We show that B2 ⇔ R cycling has a better stability than R ⇔ B19’ cycling due to a better crystallographic compatibility between B2 and R.



© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences 2009