The Two-step Reverse Martensitic Transformations of TiNi Shape Memory Alloy Based on Solution-treatment and Aging

A TiNi-alloy is solution-treated in a vacuum furnace of 6.7×10-3 Pa at 1 223 K for 3.6 ks, and then aged at 773 K for 1.8 ks. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements show that after the heat-treatment, takes place a two-step reverse Martensitic transformation, from which results the two-stage recovery strain in a prestrained Martensitic TiNi-alloy wire during heating. The Vickers microhardness indentation test in cross-sectional areas of the TiNi-alloy wire indicates the compositional heterogeneity between its sur-face layers and its inside. The fact that the sizes of the indentation in surface layers smaller than those in the inside bears witness to the existence of slightly harder surface layers. It is believed that these phenomena are related to the compositional fluctuation caused by the evaporation and oxidization of Ti-element during the solution-treatment and heterogeneity formed during the subsequent aging treat-ment.