Phase transformation studies in unirradiated and proton beam irradiated Ni–Ti alloy between 25 and 100°C

Abstract

The stress-induced phase transformation characteristics of unirradiated and proton beam irradiated NiTi alloy were investigated at different tests temperatures. The wire-shaped NiTi specimens were irradiated by 2 MeV proton beam for 30 min at room temperature to a flux of 10¹⁹ protons/m² s. Engineering stress–strain (S-S) curves of both unirradiated and irradiated specimens were obtained using a materials testing machine at 25, 50, 75 and 100°C. The results indicate a single-stage phase transformation from austenite to martensite (B2–B19′) in unirraidated specimens at all the test temperatures. In contrast, in the case of the irradiated specimens, a two-stage austenite–rhombohedral–martensite (B2–R–B19′) phase transformation is observed at 25 and 50°C. The B2–R–B19′ phase transformation, however, is found to change into B2–B19′ transformation at 75 and 100°C. The stress required to initiate the B19′ phase transformation (σ_MS) and the plateau range are found to be lower in irradiated specimens compared with those of the unirradiated specimens. The results obtained are discussed on the basis of the formation of Ni₄Ti₃ precipitates in irradiated specimens and their consequences on the phase transformations.

Keywords:

• NiTi alloys
• proton irradiation
• phase transformation
• deformation

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Mr. Khalil for irradiation of the samples. We also acknowledge Mr. Sajjad Ahmad for his help during the tensile deformation of the samples.