Structural state of a radiation-modified Ti50Ni47Fe3 single crystal

The structural state of a Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₃ single crystal irradiated by fast neutrons (F = 2.5 × 10²⁰ cm⁻²) at 340 K was studied by thermal neutron diffraction at 78 and 295 K. The melt of this composition was chosen with the purpose of designing a radiation-resistant material exhibiting a shape-memory effect. It was found that the melt remains crystalline after irradiation, whereas the Ti₄₉Ni₅₁ crystal studied earlier becomes amorphous after an analogous irradiation. In spite of the fact that the main structural motif of the crystal remains unchanged after irradiation, martensitic transformations in the crystal do not occur and, consequently, the shape-memory effect is not retained. The radiation resistance of this class of crystals was estimated.