Surface structure and corrosion resistance of short-time heat-treated NiTi shape memory alloy

NiTi alloys are attractive materials that are used for medicine, however, Ni-release may cause allergic reactions in an organism. The Ni-release rate is strongly affected by the surface state of the NiTi alloy that is mainly determined by its processing route. In this study, a NiTi shape memory alloy (50.9 at.% Ni) was heat-treated by several regimes simulating the shape setting procedure, the last step in the manufacture of implants. Heating temperatures were between 500 and 550 °C and durations from 5 to 10 min. Heat treatments were performed in air at normal and low pressure and in a salt bath. The purpose of the treatments was to obtain and compare different surface states of the Ni-Ti alloy. The surface state and chemistry of heat-treated samples were investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectrometry. The amount of nickel released into a model physiological solution of pH 2 and into concentrated HCl was taken as a measure of the corrosion rate. It was found that the heat treatments produced surface TiO₂ layers measuring 15-50 nm in thickness that were depleted in nickel. The sample covered by the 15-nm thick oxide that was treated at 500 °C/5 min in a low pressure air showed the best corrosion performance in terms of Ni-release. As the oxide thickness increased, due to either temperature or oxygen activity change, Ni-release into the physiological solution accelerated. This finding is discussed in relation to the internal structure of the oxide layers.     

Enhancing the adhesive bonding strength of NiTi shape memory alloys by laser gas nitriding and selective etching

Laser gas nitriding process (LGN) was applied on NiTi shape memory alloy to obtain an alloyed surface consisting of TiN dendrites in NiTi matrix. By applying subsequent selective etching process, the matrix material in the alloyed layer can be selectively removed and a three-dimensional network of TiN dendrites is left on the surface protruding from the metal substrate. The 3D dendritic network provides extra surface area and locking mechanism for the adhesion joint. The microstructures of such textured surface were examined. The adhesion jointing characteristics of the surfaces were studied. A 150% increase in the lap-joint strength was achieved in the laser gas nitrided and etched specimen as compared with the sandblasted and etched ones.     

A strain-fiber actuator by use of shape memory alloy spring

A strain-fiber actuator by use of shape memory alloy spring is proposed and experimentally investigated. The shape memory alloy actuator with a diameter of 0.3 mm and length of 2 mm was driven by a DC power supply of 7 V to persist for 5 s. The deformation and the strain ratio were found to be 60 μm and 3%, respectively. To apply the actuator to strain a fiber Bragg grating, we obtained a tunable spectrum width of 50 nm around the wavelength of 1550 nm for optical communication.     

Growth of Ni-Mn-Ga high-temperature shape memory alloy thin films by magnetron sputtering technique

Ni-Mn-Ga thin films have been fabricated by using magnetron sputtering technique under various substrate negative bias voltages. The effect of substrate negative bias voltage on the compositions and surface morphology of Ni-Mn-Ga thin films was systematically investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectrum and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The results show that the Ni contents of the thin films increase with the increase of the substrate negative bias voltages, whereas the Mn contents and Ga contents decrease with the increase of substrate negative bias voltages. It was also found that the surface roughness and average particle size of the thin films remarkably decrease with the increase of substrate negative bias voltages. Based on the influence of bias voltages on film compositions, a Ni₅₆Mn₂₇Ga₁₇ thin film was obtained at the substrate negative bias voltage of 30 V. Further investigations indicate that the martensitic transformation start temperature of this film is up to 584 K, much higher than room temperature, and the film has a non-modulated tetragonal martensitic structure at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy observations reveal that microstructure of the thin film exhibits an internally (1 1 1) type twinned substructure. The fabrication of Ni₅₆Mn₂₇Ga₁₇ high-temperature shape memory alloy thin film will contribute to the successful development of microactuators.     

冲击诱发NiTi形状记忆合金相变行为研究

NiTi形状记忆合金的高应变动态响应特性在军事、航空等领域具有重要应用.为研究NiTi合金在动态力学诱导下的相变行为,在不同温区不同冲击速率下,通过轻气炮装置对NiTi合金进行了动态加载实验.利用差示扫描量热仪(DSC),综合物性测量系统分析了冲击波残余效应对NiTi合金相变行为的影响.研究发现:受冲击的样品在第一次DSC热循环中观察到了三个马氏体吸热峰,表现为三步逆马氏体相变,而在第二次热循环中其中两个应力诱发马氏体吸热峰因变形恢复消失.形成两个应力诱发马氏体吸热峰的原因可能是晶粒内部与晶界处的相变过程不同步.受冲击后样品DSC放热峰上出现了一小肩峰,表明可能因中间相(R相)的出现而发生了两步相变,结合电阻测量曲线进一步确认R相的存在,且发现奥氏体相向R相转变以及R相向马氏体相转变这两种相变过程在某一温度范围内可同时进行.同时,文中也具体讨论了不同的冲击加载条件对相变过程的影响.     

Ni-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays on shape memory alloy

Self-organized Ni-Ti-O nanotube arrays were fabricated through a direct anodization of NiTi shape memory alloy in glycerol-based electrolyte. The growth of Ni-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays was mainly affected by anodization voltage and temperature. Higher anodization voltage facilitated the growth of uniform nanotube arrays. Large-area open-ended Ni-Ti-O nanotube arrays could form on the surface of the shape memory alloy under a higher anodization temperature. The oxide nanotubes had a gradually changed composition along the growth direction of the nanotube and presented a thermal stability up to 400 °C. The nanotubular oxide demonstrated a much better hydrophilic behavior than that of the traditional oxide layer grown on NiTi substrate through air oxidization. The successful fabrication of Ni-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays here makes it feasible to further explore excellent physical and chemical as well as biomedical properties of the nanotube-modified surfaces of the NiTi shape memory alloy.     

An optimal process of femtosecond laser cutting of NiTi shape memory alloy for fabrication of miniature devices

The mechanical properties of NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) components are sensitive to thermal influence during laser machining. To make the femtosecond laser cutting of NiTi material meet the strict fabrication requirements for miniature SMA devices with high precision, complex patterns and minimal heat affected zone (HAZ) along with high throughput, we report an optimal process of sideways-movement path planning in this article. Femtosecond laser processing of NiTi SMA using the fundamental wavelength of 775 nm from a Ti:sapphire laser along with its second and third harmonic irradiations were systematically investigated. We observed that the main impact of ultrashort laser pulse induced air breakdown on materials processing was beam widening. The laser beam at fundamental wavelength suffered less widening than its harmonic wavelengths. Femtosecond laser machining of metals is still basically a thermal mechanism. High ablation rates at higher laser fluences causes significant recast formation, while lower fluences resulted in better cutting quality at the expense of efficiency. The optimal process involving the method of sideways-movement path planning enables recast-free high-precision features at higher laser fluences with better throughput.     

Effect of welding wires on microstructure and mechanical properties of 2A12 aluminum alloy in CO2 laser-MIG hybrid welding

This paper represented the effect of welding wires on microstructure and mechanical properties of 2A12 aluminum alloy in CO₂ laser-metal inter gas (MIG) hybrid welding. Plates of 2A12 aluminum alloy were welded by ER4043 and ER2319 welding wires, respectively. Full penetration joints without any defects were produced. The X-ray diffraction was used to analyze the phase composition, while the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to study the microstructure, segregation behaviors of major alloying elements and the eutectics formed at dendrite boundaries in the joints. The results showed that silicon and copper were concentrated at the dendrite boundaries and α-Al + Si + Al₂Cu + Mg₂Si eutectic was formed if the ER4043 welding wire was used. However, only copper was concentrated at the dendrite boundaries and α-Al + θ eutectic was formed by ER2319 welding wire. Finally, the tensile tests were performed and the fracture surfaces were analyzed. The results showed that the joint efficiency by ER2319 and ER4043 welding wires reached up to 78% and 69%, respectively. Coarse dimples and voids had been observed in the fractographs. The joints showed a transgranular type failure.     

Atomistic study on shock behaviour of NiTi shape memory alloy

Abstract

The shock behaviour of NiTi shape memory alloy is investigated by using molecular dynamics simulation. The nano-pillar samples of the alloy are subjected to the impact of a piston with a velocity of 350 m/s at initial environment temperatures of 325 and 500 K. At 325 K, we observe two different pathways of the formation of BCO phase, the gradient twins, and the detwinning phenomena, strongly depending on the local stress and the deformation state. As the initial temperature increases to 500 K, the plasticity is dominated by the dislocation movements rather than the twinning at 325 K. The phase transformation and plasticity result in stress attenuation when the stress wave propagates through the nano-pillar. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that multiple stress peaks occur due to the formation of local complex atomic structures with various wave speeds, leading to the catch up and overlap of the stress waves.     

Martensitic transformation and shape memory effect of a Ni–Fe–Ga polycrystalline alloy

The martensitic transformation and shape memory effect of Ni—23.9 wt%–Fe—28.7 wt%Ga polycrystalline alloy are studied in the present paper. It is shown that martensitic transformation temperatures and its reverse transformation temperatures are all raised by annealing treatment. A large reversible transformation strain, about 2100ppm, is obtained in Ni—23.9 wt%–Fe—28.7 wt%Ga polycrystalline alloy due to martensitic transformation and its reverse transformation. This transformation strain is also increased by the external magnetic field. It is believed that the effect of field on the preferential orientation of martensitic variants when transforming increases the transformation strain.     

The use of Taguchi method to optimize the laser welding of sealing neuro-stimulator

Titanium has high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, excellent weldability and well biocompatibility. It is applied in various fields, such as medical and aerospace industry. Laser welding is major joint technology for titanium sealing in medical field. It is difficult for sealing thin titanium shell of the neuro-stimulator by laser lap welding. The key point for welding quality is the combination of laser welding parameters. In this paper, the effects of the Nd: YAG laser welding parameters is discussed and analyzed at first, and then a novel application of Taguchi's matrix method is proposed to optimize the selection of laser seal welding thin titanium shell, including the main parameters such as laser power, welding speed, defocusing amount and shield gas, finally the manufacture process for sealing neuro-stimulator is confirmed. The results show that Taguchi method has optimized process parameters of the laser welding on sealing thin titanium shell of the neuro-stimulator, and the device is equipped properly in medical treatments.     

Laser beam interaction with Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

Laser beam interaction with alloys belonging to the Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloy group has been investigated in order to assess the possibilities to use laser radiation for processing these materials, as for machining, joining or surface modification. The brittleness of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys is, as expected, an important factor and the formation of cracks appears to be difficult to be avoided. The laser interaction leads to vaporization on the impact zone and the changes in the chemical composition have been analyzed with respect to the beam parameters for penetration and surface melting, respectively.     

演示记忆合金弹簧的形状记忆效应的实验设计

设计了测试记忆合金弹簧的形状记忆效应的物理实验.描述了实验装置的设计和结构,给出了实验内容的设计和实验方法,包括观察测试记忆合金弹簧的温度-形变记忆效应实验和电流-形变记忆效应实验.根据测量数据,描绘了用该仪器得到的温度-形变曲线和电流-形变曲线.该实验可作为设计性实验在大学物理实验课中开出.     

Influence of the microstructure on the corrosion behaviour of a shape memory Cu-Al-Be alloy in a marine environment

The influence of the microstructure on the corrosion behaviour of a shape memory Cu-11.40Al-0.55Be (wt.%) polycrystalline alloy in 3.5% NaCl has been studied by microscopical examinations, spectroscopical and X-ray diffraction measurements, and electrochemical tests. Chloride environment can produce a dealuminization attack, and the corrosion behaviour is affected by the alloy microstructural conditions. After long times of immersion, the single β phase microstructure suffers localized corrosion in some regions but dealuminization is generalized on the whole surface. However, in the (β + γ₂) microstructure, preferential dissolution of γ₂ dendritic precipitates occurs, which seems to protect β matrix from dealloying.     

Sequence of structural and magnetic transitions in Ni48Co2Mn39Sn11 shape memory alloy

The structural and magnetic transitions in Ni₄₈Co₂Mn₃₉Sn₁₁ shape memory alloy were systematically investigated. During cooling, the paramagnetic austenite transforms into paramagnetic martensite at T_M∼375 K, followed by a gradual transition from paramagnetic to superparamagnetic martensite around T_S∼320 K. Upon further cooling through T_P∼100 K, the superparamagnetic clusters collectively freeze into a superspin glass state as corroborated by aging, rejuvenation, and memory effects. Consequently, the unique transition sequence of paramagnetic austenite→paramagnetic martensite→superparamagnetic martensite→superspin-glass martensite is disclosed.     

Alternate stresses and temperature variation as factors of influence of ultrasonic vibration on mechanical and functional properties of shape memory alloys

It is known that the main factors in a variation in the shape memory alloy properties under insonation are heating of the material and alternate stresses action. In the present work the experimental study of the mechanical behaviour and functional properties of shape memory alloy under the action of alternate stresses and varying temperature was carried out. The data obtained had demonstrated that an increase in temperature of the sample resulted in a decrease or increase in deformation stress depending on the structural state of the TiNi sample. It was shown that in the case of the alloy in the martensitic state, a decrease in stress was observed, and on the other hand, in the austenitic state an increase in stress took place. It was found that action of alternate stresses led to appearance of strain jumps on the strain–temperature curves during cooling and heating the sample through the temperature range of martensitic transformation under the constant stress. The value of the strain jumps depended on the amplitude of alternate stresses and the completeness of martensitic transformation. It was shown that the heat action of ultrasonic vibration to the mechanical behaviour of shape memory alloys was due to the non-monotonic dependence of yield stress on the temperature. The force action of ultrasonic vibration to the functional properties was caused by formation of additional oriented martensite.     

Optimization of laser beam welding process parameters to attain maximum tensile strength in AZ31B magnesium alloy

An empirical relationship is developed to predict tensile strength of the laser beam welded AZ31B magnesium alloy by incorporating process parameters such as laser power, welding speed and focal position. The experiments were conducted based on a three factor, three level, central composite face centered design matrix with full replications technique. The empirical relationship can be used to predict the tensile strength of laser beam welded AZ31B magnesium alloy joints at 95% confidence level. The results indicate that the welding speed has the greatest influence on tensile strength, followed by laser power and focal position.     

60keV质子辐照对TiNi记忆合金薄膜马氏体相变的影响

 利用磁控溅射的方法在氧化后的单晶Si基片上制备了TiNi形状记忆合金薄膜，利用示差扫描量热法和原位X射线衍射研究了薄膜的马氏体相变特征。通过60keV质子注入（辐照）薄膜样品研究了H+离子对合金薄膜马氏体相变特征的影响，结果表明氢离子注入后引起了马氏体相变开始Ms和结束点Mf以及逆马氏体相变开始As和结束温度Af的下降，而对R相变开始Rs和结束温度Rf影响不大。掠入射X射线衍射表明H+离子注入后有氢化物形成。H⁺离子注入形成的氢化物是引起相变点的变化的主要因素。     

An investigation on capability of hybrid Nd:YAG laser-TIG welding technology for AA2198 Al-Li alloy

This paper surveys the capability of the hybrid laser-arc welding in comparison with lone laser welding for AA2198 aluminum alloy experimentally. In the present research, a continuous Nd:YAG laser with a maximum power of 2000 W and a 350 A electric arc were used as two combined welding heat sources. In addition to the lone laser welding experiments, two strategies were examined for hybrid welding; the first one was low laser power (100 W) accompanied by high arc energy, and the second one was high laser power (2000 W) with low arc energy. Welding speed and arc current varied in the experiments. The influence of heat input on weld pool geometry was surveyed. The macrosection, microhardness profile and microstructure of the welded joints were studied and compared. The results indicated that in lone laser welding, conduction mode occurred and keyhole was not formed even in low welding speeds and thus the penetration depth was so low. It was also found that the second approach (high laser power accompanied with low arc energy) is superior to the first one (low laser power accompanied with high arc energy) in hybrid laser-arc welding of Al2198, since lower heat input was needed for full penetration weld and as a result a smaller HAZ was created.     

石墨颗粒／CuAIMn形状记忆合金复合材料中的位错内耗峰

利用渗流技术制备出了以石墨颗粒为阻尼增强相、以Cu-11．9A1-2．5Mn（wt％）形状记忆合金为基体的复合材料，对该合金的内耗行为进行了研究．在淬火态样品的内耗-温度曲线上观察到两个内耗峰，分别位于240℃和370℃附近．对其中低温峰的变化规律和机理进行了研究．实验发现，低温峰仅在复合材料中出现，峰位与频率无关，峰高随频率升高而上升；随升温速率增加，峰高增加，峰位移向高温；随石墨颗粒体积分数增加，峰高增加；经多次热循环后该内耗峰消失．由以上特征和微观观察，可以证明该峰起因于外加交变应力与位错的相互作用．