Nanoscopic size effects on martensitic transformations in shape memory alloys

The effect of the grain size and transverse film size in nano-and micrometer ranges on the parameters of martensitic transitions in shape memory alloys is theoretically considered in the framework of the theory of diffuse martensitic transitions. A quantitative analysis of the size effects is performed including not only the thermodynamic aspect of the martensitic transformation but also its kinetic aspect, which is particularly sensitive to structural and size factors. This complex approach makes it possible to explain the following three basic facts associated with the influence of a decreased grain size or transverse film size on the parameters of the martensitic transition in shape memory alloys: a decrease in the critical (characteristic) transition temperature, an increase in the transition temperature smearing, and the existence of a critical grain size or film thickness below which the martensitic transformation in alloys is blocked.     

High-pressure-induced baroelastic effects and martensitic transformations in two-layer micro-and nanocomposites

The theory of smeared diffusionless martensitic transitions is applied to analyzing martensitic transformation and relaxation of baroelastic stress in a thin shape-memory alloy layer included in a two-layer microcomposite. When omnidirectional pressure is applied to the composite, baroelastic stress arises in the alloy because of the different bulk compression moduli of the alloy and the substrate material. Baroelastic strain in the microcomposite undergoing martensitic transformation is found to acquire nonlinear and hysteretic properties, which can be used in pressure microtransducers and special-purpose miniature actuators.     

Martensite-induced stress relaxation and deformation effects in membranes made of shape memory materials

The theory of diffuse martensitic transitions is used to analyze martensitic transformation and stress relaxation in a planar round membrane made of a shape memory material under a constant pressure. The plastic flexure of the membrane is found as a function of the temperature and applied pressure.     

Martensitic transformation and physical properties of ‘steel–TiNi’ bimetal composite,produced by explosion welding

The aim of this work is an investigation of structure and martensitic transformation in bimetal composite ‘TiNi–stainless steel’ produced by explosion welding. The results have shown that the mixture of chemical elements is observed in very narrow intervals of 6 µm close to the joint – 2 µm from the TiNi side and 4 µm from the steel one. Micro-hardness distribution in the vicinity of the joint is non-monotonic in the interval of 60 µm. Connection of stainless steel and TiNi plates by explosion welding leads to a dramatic change of martensitic transformation kinetics. Temperatures and the temperature interval of phase transformation increase strongly and heat transformation decreases. Annealing at 500°C for 2 h of bimetal composite decreases the interval of micro-hardness variation and partially recovers kinetics of phase transitions.     

Effect of the Conditions of Crystallization of Rapidly Quenched TiNiCu Amorphous Alloys with High Copper Contents on the Characteristics of Martensite Transformations and Shape Memory Effect

Amorphous TiNiCu alloys with copper contents of 28 to 38 at % are fabricated via melt spinning. The isothermal crystallization of alloys is conducted at 500°C with variable durations of the heat treatment (100 to 300 s). It is shown that shortening the duration of crystallization prevents the formation of brittle phases of the Ti–Cu system and contributes to the martensitic B2 ? B19 transformation, with the temperature intervals of transformation shifting to higher values and a marked increase in the enthalpy of the martensitic transitions and the magnitude of the shape memory effect.     

Bain strain upon thermoelastic martensitic transformation in intermetallic compounds based on titanium nickelide

Analysis of our original results and the data in the literature on the behavior of structural parameters of the austenitic and martensitic phases near phase transitions in alloys of the TiNi-TiMe (Me = Au, Pd, Pt, Rh, Cu, Co, Fe, Rh) system has been performed. It is established that the Bain strain and dilatation changes depend on the martensitic transformation “channel.”     

Effect of cobalt doping on thermoelastic martensitic transformations and physical properties of magnetic shape memory alloys Ni50 − x Co x Mn29Ga21

The magnetic and thermoelastic martensitic transformations and physical properties (magnetization, electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power, relative elongation, and thermal expansion coefficient) of multicomponent magnetic shape memory alloys Ni_{50 ? x} Co _x Mn₂₉Ga₂₁ (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 10 at %) have been investigated. The critical temperatures of thermoelastic martensitic transformation and magnetic transitions have been determined. It has been found that the alloy with 10 at % Co undergoes a martensitic transformation in the temperature range of 6–10 K.     

Martensitic transformations and magnetic properties of nonstoichiometric alloys of the Ni-Mn-In system

Martensitic transformations and magnetic properties of Ni_89-x Mn _x In₁₁ (42 ≤ x ≤ 44) alloys have been investigated. Critical temperatures of magnetic and structural phase transitions in the studied alloy system have been determined. It has been shown that the martensitic transformation induced by the magnetic field is observed in all alloys. Temperature dependences of the spontaneous magnetization of austenite and martensite as well as the magnitude of the critical field, in which martensitic transformation occurs, have been determined.     

Microstructural evolution and martensitic transformation mechanisms during solidification processes of liquid metal Pb

The microstructural evolution and the martensitic transformation (bcc–hcp and bcc–fcc) mechanisms during the solidification process of liquid metal Pb were studied by molecular dynamics simulation. Results indicate that, with the decrease of temperature, the system undergoes two phase transitions: from the liquid state into a metastable bcc phase first and then from the bcc phase into a coexisting crystal structure of hcp and fcc phases. Moreover, the complicated martensitic transformation processes are clearly observed by cluster type index method (CTIM) and the tracing method. The two transformation mechanisms are very analogous at the atomic level; the essential difference between them is that, in the bcc–hcp transformation, two adjacent layers shift in opposite directions, whereas in the bcc–fcc transformation, the top layer and bottom layer shift in opposite directions relative to the middle layer. The specific mechanisms for the bcc–hcp and bcc–fcc transformations are confirmed to correspond to the revised Burgers mechanism and Bain mechanism, respectively.     

Modelling of hysteresis loops taken during the stress- and temperature-induced martensitic transformations

In this article, it has been shown that the process of reconfiguration of the crystal defects system noticeably contributes to the width of the stress–strain and strain–temperature hysteresis loops taken during the stress- and temperature-induced martensitic transformations of the shape memory alloys. It has been demonstrated that the contribution of the defects system to the hysteresis width strongly depends on the alloy temperature and the transformation cycle duration. It has been shown that the hysteresis effect can be observed not only in the course of the first-order phase transition of martensitic type, but also in the course of the gradual deformation of crystal lattice. The obtained results are applicable to the ferroelastic phase transitions in the different crystalline solids.     

Phase transitions and thermal expansion in Ni<Subscript>51–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>36 + <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sn<Subscript>13</Subscript> alloys

Thermal expansion and structural and magnetic phase transitions in alloys of the Ni–Mn–Sn system have been investigated. The spontaneous martensitic transformation in Ni_51–xMn_{36 + x}Sn₁₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) alloys is found to be accompanied by high jumps in the temperature dependences of the linear thermal expansion. The relative change in the linear sizes of these alloys at the martensitic transformation is ~1.5 × 10^–3. There are no anomalies in the magnetic-ordering temperature range in the temperature dependences of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion. The differences in the behavior of linear thermal expansion at the martensitic transformation in Ni_51–xMn_{36 + x}Sn₁₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) and Ni₄₇Mn₄₀Sn₁₃(x = 4) alloys have been established.     

The effect of Si content on the martensitic transfor-mation temperature of Ni55.5e18Ga26.5-xSix alloys

This paper investigates the effects of substitution of Si for Ga on the martensitic transformation behaviours in Ni-Fe-Ga alloys by using optical metallographic microscope and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. The structure type of Ni_55.5Fe₁₈Ga_26.5-xSi_x alloys is determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), and the XRD patterns show the microstructure of Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloys transformed from body-centred tetragonal martensite (with Si content x = 0) to body-centred cubic austenite (with x = 2) at room temperature. The martensitic transformation temperatures of the Ni_55.5Fe₁₈Ga_26.5-xSi_x alloys decrease almost linearly with increasing Si content in the Si content range of x ≤ 3. Thermal treatment also plays an important role on martensitic transformation temperatures in the Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloy. The valence electronic concentrations, size factor, L2₁ degree of order and strength of parent phase influence the martensitic transformation temperatures of the Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloys. An understanding of the relationship between martensitic transformation temperatures and Si content will be significant for designing an appropriate Ni-Fe-Ga-Si alloy for a specific application at a given temperature.     

Study of the order–disorder transition and martensitic transformation in a Cu–Al–Be alloy by EELS

Changes in 3d states occupancy associated with order–disorder transition and martensitic transformation in a Cu–Al–Be alloy was investigated by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in both high energy and low energy loss regions. From the high energy loss region, the Cu L_2,3 white-line intensities, which reflect the unoccupied density of states in 3d bands, was measured for three states of the alloy: disordered austenite, ordered austenite and martensite. It was found that the white-line intensity remains the same during order–disorder transition but appears slightly smaller in martensite, indicating that some electrons left Cu 3d bands or some hybridization took place during phase transformation. From the low energy loss region, the optical joint density of states (OJDS) was obtained by Kramers–Kronig analysis. As maxima observed in the OJDS spectra are assigned to interband transitions, these spectra can be used to probe changes in the electronic band structure. The analysis shows that during the martensitic transformation, the peaks positions and relative intensities in the OJDS spectra undergoes noticeable changes, which are associated with interband transitions.     

Influence of size factors on the character of phase transformations in light actinides

The transformations of crystalline phases of light actinides have been analyzed as the processes of formation and growth of nanoparticles. The influence of size factors on the character of martensitic phase transitions and reverse phase transformations has been investigated using plutonium as an example.     

The influence of Al substitution on the phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect in Ni43Mn46Sn11−xAlx alloys

The effects of Al substitution on the phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect of Ni₄₃Mn₄₆Sn_11−xAl_x (x=0-2) ferromagnetic shape memory alloys were investigated by X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. With the increase of Al content, the cell volume decreases due to the smaller radius of Al, and the martensitic transformation temperature increases rapidly, while the Curie temperature of austenitic phase shows a small increase. A large positive and a negative magnetic entropy change were observed near the first-order martensitic transition and the second-order magnetic transition, respectively. The magnetic entropy changes, hysteresis behavior, and refrigerant capacity near the two transitions are compared.     

Mechanisms of martensitic transformations in boron nitride and conditions of their development

Abstract

The dependence of the pressure threshold of martensitic transformations on the disordering degree of starting structures is considered for graphite-like BN into diamond-like BN modifications transitions. The effect of loading conditions on transformation mechanisms of rhombohedral BN into zinc blende or wurtzite modifications is analyzed also. Analytical relations obtained allow to explain the experimental data and to predict a behavior of various graphite-like structures under different p, T conditions.     

Photoacoustic detection of phase transitions with a resonant piezoelectric scheme with extreme sensitivity to small volume changes

Resonant piezoelectric photoacoustic detection is demonstrated to be a sensitive tool for the determination of phase transitions. A model is presented that describes the changes in the signal expected during phase transitions when resonant detection is used. The technique is applied to the study of first-order martensitic diffusionless transformations in copper-based shape-memory alloys. The model takes into account the signal changes arising from two sources. One behaves like an effective change in the heat capacity, and arises due to the enthalpy of the reaction, and the other can be described as an effective change in the thermal expansion coefficient, and arises from the volume change during the transformation. Due to the relative high frequency used (around 20 kHz), the transformation lags behind the temperature oscillations, yielding a phase shift in the acoustic signal as the transformation temperature is passed. The relative sign of the phase angle and amplitude as the transformation proceeds is an indication as to whether the signal arises from volume changes or heat exchange (enthalpy). Huge signals from very small volume changes (smaller than 0.5%) were observed.     

On the behaviour of supercooled liquids and polymers in nano-confinement

ABSTRACT

Size effects play an important role in structural phase transitions, melting transitions, in martensitic materials, glass transitions, etc. Very often the question arises, whether a measured size effect originates from the geometrical confinement itself, or if it appears due to the interaction with the limiting surface. Using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) technique we have studied various microphase segregated polymers, molecular glass forming liquids and supercooled water confined in nanoporous silica as well as in biological tissues. Here we show on some selected examples that DMA measurements can be used to study relaxation processes in detail and to disentangle in favourable cases pure pore size effects from effects that are induced by the confining surface.     

Modelling of dislocation-induced martensitic transformation in anisotropic crystals

The structural transformation caused by dislocation-induced heterogeneous nucleation in the fcc?→?bcc martensitic transformation in elastically anisotropic crystals is investigated by using the phase field microelasticity model. The three-dimensional microstructure of the dislocation-induced martensitic embryos is obtained. It is found that the embryos are not single-domain particles as is usually assumed but rather a complex self-organized assemblage of stress-accommodating twin-related microdomains. Sessile metastable martensitic embryos around the dislocation loops form in the prototype Fe–Ni alloy system above the temperatures of the martensitic transformation. A possibility that the presence of these pre-existing embryos could be responsible, at least, for a part of the elastic modulus softening with the temperature decrease observed in many martensitic systems is discussed. The effects of elastic anisotropy, the “chemical” energy barrier and structural anisotropy of the Landau free energy on the formation and growth of martensitic embryos are investigated. The assumptions of elastic isotropy and a choice of the anisotropic term in Landau polynomial do not significantly affect the microstructure of martensitic embryos but may appreciably change the undercooling that is necessary to eliminate the total nucleation barrier and start the athermal martensitic transformation.     

Mn/Cr掺杂对Ni-Fe-Ga合金相变和磁性转变的影响

系统研究了Mn和Cr元素掺杂对Ni_(55)Fe_(18)Ga_(27)合金马氏体相变温度和居里温度的影响.研究表明:随着Mn含量的增加,Ni_(55-x)Mn_xFe_(18)Ga_(27)系列合金的马氏体相变温度逐渐降低,居里温度有所增加;Ni_(55)Fe_(18-x)Mn_xGa_(27)系列合金的马氏体相变温度也逐渐降低,但居里温度变化并不明显.随着Cr含量的增加,Ni_(55-x)Cr_xFe_(18)Ga_(27)系列合金的马氏体相变温度明显降低,居里温度则小幅度降低;Ni_(55)Fe_(18-x)Cr_xGa_(27)系列合金的马氏体相变温度和居里温度均有规律的降低.