Temperature dependence of indentation recovery ratios in austenitic and martensitic shape memory alloys

Instrumented microindentation (IM) on two Ni-Ti shape memory alloys (SMAs), where one is austenitic and the other is martensitic at room temperature, were conducted from 40 to 150 degrees C. Results show that the depth and work recovery ratios, eta(d) and eta(w) respectively, are complementary to each other. While eta(d) decreases gradually with temperature for austenite, it drops markedly for the martensite in the martensite-to-austenite transformation regime. These results affirm the utility of IM for characterizing SMAs.

Simultaneous measurement of mechanical and electrical contact resistances during nanoindentation of NiTi shape memory alloys

The nanoindentation technique can be employed in shape memory alloys (SMAs) to discern the transformation temperatures as well as to characterize their mechanical behavior. In this paper, we use it with simultaneous measurements of the mechanical and the electrical contact resistances (ECR) at room temperature to probe two SMAs: austenite (RTA) and martensite (RTM). Two different types of indenter tips - Berkovich and spherical - are employed to examine the SMAs' indentation responses as a function of the representative strain, epsilon(R). In Berkovich indentation, because of the sharp nature of the tip, and in consequence the high levels of strain imposed, discerning the two SMAs on the basis of the indentation response alone is difficult. In the case of the spherical tip, epsilon(R) is systematically varied and its effect on the depth recovery ratio, eta(d), is examined. Results indicate that RTA has higher eta(d) than RTM, but the difference decreases with increasing epsilon(R) such that eta(d) values for both the alloys would be similar in the fully plastic regime. The experimental trends in eta(d) vs. epsilon(R) for both the alloys could be described well with a eta(d) proportional to (epsilon(R))(-1) type equation, which is developed on the basis of a phenomenological model. This fit, in turn, directs us to the maximum epsilon(R), below which plasticity underneath the indenter would not mask the differences in the two SMAs. It was demonstrated that the ECR measurements complement the mechanical measurements in demarcating the reverse transformation from martensite to austenite during unloading of RTA, wherein a marked increase in the voltage was noted. A correlation between recovery due to reverse transformation during unloading and increase in voltage (and hence the electrical resistance) was found. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Thermodynamic Constitutive Model for Stress Induced Phase Transformation in Shape Memory Alloys

In this paper a thermodynamic constitutive model is developed for stress induced phase transformation in single crystalline and polycrystalline shape memory alloys (SMAs). Volume fractions of different martensite variants are chosen as internal variables to describe the evolution of microstructure state in the material. This model is then used in prediction the transformation behavior of a SMA (Cu-Al-Zn-Mn) under complex thermomechanical load (including complete and incomplete transformation in mechanical cycling, and proportional/non-proportional loading). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of Microscopic Deformation in a Cualni Single Crystal Alloy by Nanoindentation with a Heating Stage

Thermally induced recovery of nanoindents in a CUAINi single crystal shape memory alloy was studied by nanoindentation in conjunction with a heating stage. Nanoindents formed by a Berkovich indenter at room temperature were heated to 40, 70 and 100 degrees C. Partial recovery was observed for the nanoindents. The recovery ratio depended on the heating temperature. Indentation of CuAlNi can induce inelastic deformation via dislocation motion and a stress-induced matensitic transformation. The percentages of dislocation-induced plastic strain would affect the thermal deformation of CuAlNi, because the induced dislocations could stabilize stress-induced martensite plates even when the temperature above austenite finish temperature, A(f). When the applied indentation load is low (less than 10,000 mu N), the shape recovery strain is predominant, compared with the dislocation-induced plastic strain. Therefore, the degree of indent recovery in the depth direction, delta(D), is high (about 0.7-0.8 at 100 degrees C).

Theory Of Phase Transformation And Reorientation In Single Crystalline Shape Memory Alloys

A constitutive model, based on an (n + 1)-phase mixture of the Mori-Tanaka average theory, has been developed for stress-induced martensitic transformation and reorientation in single crystalline shape memory alloys. Volume fractions of different martensite lattice correspondence variants are chosen as internal variables to describe microstructural evolution. Macroscopic Gibbs free energy for the phase transformation is derived with thermodynamics principles and the ensemble average method of micro-mechanics. The critical condition and the evolution equation are proposed for both the phase transition and reorientation. This model can also simulate interior hysteresis loops during loading/unloading by switching the critical driving forces when an opposite transition takes place.

Biodegradable thermoplastic elastomers: tuning viscoelastic properties and shape memory

286 p.