Very high strain-rate response of a NiTi shape-memory alloy

The compressive response of a NiTi shape-memory alloy is investigated at high strain rates, using UCSD’s modified split Hopkinson pressure bar and a mini-Hopkinson bar with specially designed striker bars. To obtain a constant strain rate during the formation of the stress-induced martensite phase in a Hopkinson test, a copper-tube pulse shaper of suitable dimensions or a stepped striker bar is employed, since without a pulse shaper or with a uniform striker bar, the strain rate of the sample will vary significantly as the material’s microstructure changes from austenite to martensite, whereas with proper pulse shaping techniques a nearly constant strain rate can be achieved over a certain deformation range. At a very high strain rate, the yield stress and the stress-induced martensite formation process are significantly different from those at moderately high strain rates, suggesting that, correspondingly, different microstructural changes may be involved in the phase transition regime. The material’s yield stress appears lower when measured in a mini-Hopkinson bar (with very small samples) as compared with that measured by a 1/2-in. Hopkinson bar (with relatively large samples), possibly due to the sample size that may produce different deformation mechanisms within the superelastic strain range. The transition stress from the austenite to the martensite phase shows strain-rate sensitivity. This may be explained by considering the interfacial motion of the formed martensite phase, based on the thermally activated and dislocation-drag models. There exists a certain critical strain-rate level, at which the transition stress for the stress-induced martensite formation equals the yield stress of the austenite phase. Therefore, the shape-memory alloy deforms by the formation of stress-induced martensites, accompanied by the yielding of the martensite phase at this critical strain rate, while the material deforms plastically by the dislocation-induced plastic slip at strain rates above this critical level.     

An ultrasonic prospecting of shape-memory alloy behaviour under thermal charges

Thermomechanical models may be produced to describe the macroscopic deformations of shape-memory alloys educated to be deformed with special shapes as a function of temperature. To be accurate, these models need to take into account evolution of the microstructure via homogenization theories. So, the aim of this work was to provide all available information about phase transformations occurring in the grain structures from an investigation close to the microscopic scale. In this work, we have visualized grain structures of Cu–Zn–Al duplex alloys using acoustic microscopy. Evolution of phase transformations as a function of temperature has also been followed on these acoustic images with a spatial accuracy up to few micrometres. This observation of sample surface has also enabled estimation of grain baring due to phase transformations. Using the same experimental device, acoustic signatures have been taken on samples in complete austenic or martensitic forms to measure the speed of Rayleigh surface waves. Despite the use of a wide ultrasonic frequency range from 15–600 MHz, it seems that wave attenuation due to viscosity is important and disables velocity measurements by this method. Finally, using an acoustic echographic technique, we have correlated attenuation and velocity of longitudinal waves to the global phase transformation of heated samples. © 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

Transformation characteristics and related deformation behaviour in orthodontic NiTi wire

Several orthodontic NiTi wires have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry measurements and uniaxial tensile tests. An attempt is made to relate pseudoelastic deformation behaviour to characteristics of diffusionless martensitic transformation. Pseudoelasticity is explained by the respective importance of each parameter for use in orthodontics and experimental results are presented in terms of classification.     

Deformation behaviour and shape memory effect of near equi-atomic NiTi alloy

The mechanical shape memory effect associated with the martensitic-type transformation which occurs in polycrystalline Ti-50.3 at. % Ni alloy has been investigated using the techniques of transmission and optical microscopy. Deformation of initially partially transformed material within the recoverable strain range was found to occur by: (1) stress-induced transformation of the most favourably oriented existing martensite variants at the expense of adjacent unfavourably oriented variants and retained high temperature phase (2) stress-induced re-orientation of favourably oriented martensite by utilizing the most favourably oriented twin system, and (3) stress-induced twin-boundary migration within the martensite. The reverse transformation during heating restores the original grain structure of the high-temperature phase in a highly coherent manner. It was concluded that deformation modes limited to those involved in the transformation process and the reversibility of the transformation give rise to the memory effect.     

Thermomechanical topology optimization of shape-memory alloy structures using a transient bilevel adjoint method

We present a novel method for computational design of adaptive shape-memory alloy (SMA) structures via topology optimization. By optimally distributing a SMA within the prescribed design domain, the proposed algorithm seeks to tailor the two-way shape-memory effect (TWSME) and pseudoelasticity response of the SMA materials. Using a phenomenological material model, the thermomechanical response of the SMA structure is solved through inelastic finite element analysis, while assuming a transient but spatially uniform temperature distribution. The material distribution is parameterized via a SIMP formulation, with gradient-based optimization used to perform the optimization search. We derive a transient, bilevel adjoint formulation for analytically computing the design sensitivities. We demonstrate the proposed design framework using a series of two-dimensional thermomechanical benchmark problems. These examples include design for optimal displacement due to the TWSME, and design for maximum mechanical advantage while accounting for pseudoelasticity.     

Analysis of the mechanical and shape memory behaviour of nitrogen ion-implanted NiTi alloy

Experimental results of an accumulation and return strain behaviour of the modified surface of NiTi alloy, as well as mechanical and shape memory behaviour, are shown in this paper.Surface of equiatomic NiTi shape memory alloy (in martensitic form) has been modified by high-dose ion-implantation technique using nitrogen ion beam. The low-energy (65 keV) and following high doses have been used: 1×10¹⁷, 5×10¹⁷ and 1×10¹⁸ J/cm². Correlation between subsurface layers elemental composition of NiTi alloy, microstructure and shape memory properties is shown.     

Electrical and photoelectrical behaviour of CdTe structures

The electrical and photoelectrical behaviour of Au/n-CdTe junctions prepared on CdTe monocrystalline substrates and CdTe epitaxial layers grown on n⁺ GaAs substrates were studied. The electrical and photoresponse properties depended very strongly on the parameters of the compensated high-resistive layer at the CdTe surface formed by annealing during preparation.     

Effect of low temperature ageing on the transformation behaviour of near-equiatomic NiTi

A unique three-stage transformation behaviour on cooling has been observed in a Ti-50.2 at% Ni alloy after a low temperature ageing treatment. The cooling transformation in the aged alloy occurred as a three-stage process of austenite-to-R phase transition followed by two separate martensitic transformations. The R phase transition developed during ageing with a clear second order nature initially and gradually evolved into a predominantly first order process. The occurrence of the R transition is not associated with a decrease in the martensitic transformation temperature during ageing. The reverse transformation to austenite occurred in one step, regardless of the nature of the forward transformation on cooling. An all-round shape memory effect was observed in aged samples. These experimental observations suggest that precipitation induced by the ageing treatment is responsible for the unusual transformation behaviour. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tensile behaviour of superelastic NiTi alloys charged with hydrogen under applied strain

ABSTRACT

The tensile behaviour of NiTi alloys is investigated after hydrogen charging during the austenite, half-transformation and martensite phases. The specimens are charged with different current densities and charging durations. During the tensile tests, the strain of the plateau transformation decreases due to hydrogen-induced residual martensite variants. This decrease becomes important when the charging happens during the martensite phase. Accordingly, the hydrogen ensures the stability of the phase in which the charging process occurs. Moreover, a heightening of transformation stress is noticed during the plateau. The transformation stress increases when the current density grows and the charging duration rises. This occurrence is caused by the interaction between the hydrogen and NiTi structures, where hydrogen delays the NiTi martensite transformation.

This paper is part of a thematic issue on Hydrogen in Metallic Alloys     

FEM analysis of localized deformation behaviour in pseudoelastic NiTi shape memory alloys

This paper takes into account the localized deformation behaviour of a pseudoelastic NiTi shape memory alloy with finite element method. A three‐dimensional micromechanical model has been developed, in which the difference between the elastic properties of austenite and martensite is considered. The model is implemented as User MATerial subroutine (UMAT) into ABAQUS. Then, a polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloy with [1 1 1] texture under tensile loading is simulated. The main features of the propagation of the deformation band reported in literatures are captured in the simulation. It is also shown that the initiation and propagation of the deformation bands are strongly affected by the geometry of the specimens.     

NiTi合金主动脉支架弯曲变形行为的研究

利用Pro/E和Ansys软件建立了胸主动脉支架轴向柔顺性分析模型,对27种NiTi合金支架的柔顺性进行了模拟分析与实验验证。在此基础上,又进一步系统地分析了弯曲变形时支架结构尺寸变化对中央部位横截面变形行为的影响。结果显示,减少圆周方向上的连接体的数量,增加支撑体的长度或数量,都能够提高支架的柔顺性,但是减少连接体的数量比增加支撑体的长度或数量对支架柔顺性的影响程度要大。支架弯曲变形时连接体的数量对支架中央部位横截面的变形具有显著的影响。     

Tensile behaviour of multi-layered braided structures

Multi-layered braided structures are formed as a result of over-braiding the previously formed braids and they are increasingly being used for numerous applications ranging from hoses to energy absorbing composites. In this research work, a series of multi-layered braided structures were prepared on circular braiding machine for obtaining various combinations of braid angles of 30° and 45° in inner and outer layers. Subsequently, the tensile properties of multi-layered braided structures were analysed and it was found that the braid angle in the outer layer has significantly affected the stress–strain behaviour. A simple analytical model for predicting the tensile behaviour of multi-layered braided structures has also been proposed based on the previously developed model of ‘braid-elastic core’ system. A clear distinction has also been made between the helix and braid angles. Furthermore, a comparison has been made between theoretical and experimental values of braid angle, toughness and stress–strain characteristics of multi-layered braided structures.