Phase transformation behaviors and shape memory effects of TiNiFeAl shape memory alloys

Measurements of electrical resistivity, X-ray diffraction, and tensile test at room temperature and -196℃ were performed to investigate the effects of Al addition substituting Ni on the phase transformation behaviors, the mechanical properties, and the shape memory effects of Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₂Al₁ and Ti₅₀Ni_46.5Fe_2.5Al₁ alloys. It is found that 1at% Al addition dramatically decreases the martensitic start transformation temperature and expands the transformation temperature range of R-phase for TiNiFeAl alloys. The results of tensile test indicate that 1at% Al improves the yield strength of Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₂Al₁ and Ti₅₀Ni_46.5Fe_2.5Al₁ alloys by 40% and 64%, but decreases the plasticity to 11% and 12% from 26% and 27% respectively. Moreover, excellent shape memory effect of 6.6% and 7.5% were found in Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₂Al₁ and Ti₅₀Ni_46.5Fe_2.5Al₁ alloys, which results from the stress-induced martensite transformation from the R-phase.