Thermal Parameters Influence Assessed by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy on a Ni50Ti48Nb2 Shape Memory Alloy

Abstract

This paper presents some electrochemical impedance spectroscopy research results concerning the corrosion resistance of a shape memory Ni50Ti48Nb2 alloy. This one was previously studied by SEM and DSC [1,2] but some new research features had to be made clear in order to be able to explain its electrochemical corrosion behavior. The chemical composition Ni50Ti48Nb2 was chosen in order to obtain a shape memory alloy having a wider hysteresis than equiatomic NiTi, for the purpose of achieving a better thermomechanical stability. Cryogenic applications are aimed. After processing the cast ingot, two samples, S1 and S2, were further annealed at 800�C/12 h and, respectively, at 900�C/12h. Scanning electron micrographs together with the chemical elements mapping results were obtained. They were related to the previous results concerning the informations on the structure of the different phases found in this NiTiNb alloy: austenite, martensite and secondary phases, as well as some primary compounds [1,2]. Considering the size and shape of the complex precipitate particles of NiTiNb in the two differently heat treated samples, these were found responsible for some changes in the transformation temperatures [3] but the electrochemical corrosion behavior of the alloy seems to be influenced to a lesser extent by the heat treatments. Both samples exhibit good values of corrosion resistance, however S2 shows better values than S1. Thus lower transformation temperatures and a slightly better corrosion resistance make the Ni50Ti48Nb2 alloy annealed at 900�C/12h subsequently submitted to thermal cycling to be the right choice for producing couplings in the cryogenic industry.