Influence of Dynamic Compression on Phase Transformation of Martensitic NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit high damping capacity in both austenitic and martensitic phases, due to either a stress-induced martensite phase transformation or a stress-induced martensite variant reorientation, making them ideal candidates for vibration suppression devices to protect structural components from damage due to external forces. In this study, both quasi-static and dynamic compression was conducted on a martensitic NiTi SMA using a mechanical loading frame and on a Kolsky compression bar, respectively, to examine the relationship between microstructure and phase transformation characteristics of martensitic NiTi SMAs. Both endothermic and exothermic peaks disappear completely after experiencing deformation at a strain rate of 103 s−1 and to a strain of about 10 pct. The phase transformation peaks reappear after the deformed specimens were annealed at 873 K (600 °C) for 30 minutes. As compared to samples from quasi-static loading, where a large amount of twinning is observed with a small amount of grain distortion and fracture, samples from dynamic loading show much less twinning with a larger amount of grain distortion and fracture.