| Abstract: | The thermal oxidation behavior of a near equi-atomic TiNi shape memory alloy was studied by the measurement of the weight-gain of specimens in oxidation and the analysis of the oxide films with Auger Electron Spectrometry. It is found that the oxidation kinetics of the alloy follows logarithmic rate law at both 400℃ and 500℃, while it follows a near parabolic oxidation law at 600℃. All the oxide films formed on TiNi alloy are primarily titanium dioxide independent of the exposure temperature and time. It is shown from the experimental results that shape memory treatment of the alloy at around 500℃ normally results in the formation of a thin oxide film within a 300 nm thickness, which is effective in screening the nickel content of the bulk material from direct contact with the environment. |
