Martensitic transformations and morphology studies of NiTi shape memory alloy

Abstract

The forward transformation temperatures Martensite Start (Ms) and Martensite Finish (Mf) during cooling, reverse transformation temperatures Austenite Start (As) and Austenite Finish (Af) during heating are very sensitive to the thermal and mechanical history of the Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). Heat treatments, cold and hot roll, thermal and mechanical cycling have great influence on the transformation temperatures. Different characterizing techniques like Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Electrical Resistivity (ER) and Thermo Mechanical Analyzer (TMA) were employed to study the phase transformation temperatures of NiTi alloy. The microstructure of the samples was studied with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Optical Microscope (OM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM).