Unusual Multistage Martensitic Transformation in TiNi Shape Memory Alloy after Thermal Cycling

Abstract

Variation in kinetics of martensitic transformation, in an equiatomic TiNi shape memory alloy, during thermal cycles was investigated. Samples annealed at 500 °C for 1 hour were subjected to repeated thermal cycles, through the temperature range of martensitic transformation. Unusual 4-stage martensitic transformation during cooling after 30 thermal cycles was observed. Moreover, a new unusual phenomenon was found in the preliminary thermal cycled TiNi alloy. It was observed that variation in the highest temperature Th of thermal cycles temperature interval resulted in the redistribution of released heat among four calorimetric peaks, observed on cooling. It was found that if the Th temperature did not exceed 240 °C the variation in kinetics was repeatable, and determined only by the value of Th. It was assumed that the defect structure induced on preliminary thermal cycling changes reversibly on cooling and heating.