Transformation behavior and mechanical properties of a nanostructured Ti?50.0Ni(at.%) alloy

Transformation behavior, the shape memory effect and the superelasticity of an equiatomic 40% cold worked Ti−Ni alloy followed by annealing at various temperatures have been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy, thermal cycling tests under constant load and tensile tests. The B2-R-B19 transformation occurred in all samples, and the R-B19’ transformation occurred in a wide temperature range. The B2-R transformation start temperature kept constant with raising annealing temperature. The average grain size increased from 23 to 80 nm with raising annealing temperature from 523 to 673 K. Transformation hysteresis increased rapidly with raising annealing temperature up to 623 K, above which they almost keep constant, which was ascribed to the small grain size and large constraints of grain boundaries.