NiTi is the most used shape-memory alloy; nonetheless, a lack of understanding remains regarding the associated structures and transitions, including their barriers. Using a generalized solid-state nudged elastic band method implemented via density-functional theory, we detail the structural transformations in NiTi relevant to shape memory: those between a body-centered orthorhombic (bco) groun...

The microstructure of a Co38Ni33Al29 FSMA was determined by conventional transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction studies together with advanced microscopy techniques and in-situ Lorentz microscopy. 10 to 60 nm sized rod-like precipitates of hcp ǫ-Co were confirmed to be present by HRTEM. The orientation relationship between the precipitates and B2 matrix is described by the Burge...

The distribution of the characteristic texture components between the ferrite grains of different size classes has been studied in a steel with 0.082%C, 1.54% Mn, 0.35% Si, 0.055%Nb and 0.078%V after different rolling schedules with a final rolling temperature above or below Ar3. Microstructures and textures were characterized by means of optical microscopy and orientation microscopy. A strong ...

In this study, thermal simulation experiments under different austenitization temperatures and different stress states were conducted. High-temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), thermal dilatometry, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to quantitatively investigate the effects of the uniaxial compressive stress on bainitic transformation at 330 ̋C following differen...

Combinatorial nanocalorimetry and synchrotron x-ray diffraction were combined to study the martensite-austenite (M-A) phase transformation behavior of Ni-Ti-Hf shape memory alloys. A thin-film library of Ni-Ti-Hf samples with a range of compositions was deposited on a parallel nano-scanning calorimeter device using sputter deposition. Crystallization of each amorphous as-deposited sample by loc...

The different contributions to the entropy change linked to the austenite-martensitic transition in a Ni-Mn-Sn metamagnetic shape memory alloy have been determined by combining different experimental techniques. The vibrational contribution has been inferred from the vibrational density of states of both the martensitic and austenite phases. This has been accomplished by combining time-of-fligh...

The stability of austenite against strain induced martensitic transformation (SIMT) strongly depends on the grain size of the austenite. This is observed in austenitic steels with grain sizes from several pm up to several hundred pm and for much smaller austenitic grains (three orders of magnitude) that are embedded in a non austenitic matrix. fcc Fe-precipitates may be formed in dilute Cu-Fe a...

The austenite-to-martensite transformation in a partially hardened stainless steel containing 17wt %Cr, 7wt %Ni and 1wt % Al was investigated with Vibrating Sample Magnetometry and Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction. Magnetometry demonstrated that measurable martensite formation can be suppressed on fast cooling to 77K as well as on subsequent fast heating to 373 K. Surprisingly, martensite form...

In this work an analytical solution of general validity is used to explain mechanism of the silicon influence on the absolute chill tendency (CT) and chill (w) of cast iron. It is found that CT can be related to nucleation potential of graphite (Nv), growth parameter (μ) of eutectic cells, temperature range (∆Tsc) and the pre-eutectic austenite volume fraction (fγ). It has been shown that silic...

It is increasingly important in the context of high–manganese steels of the kind that lead to twinning–induced plasticity to be able to estimate the temperature at which ε–martensite forms when austenite is cooled. We find that the thermodynamic method used in similar calculations for α martensite cannot in many cases be implemented because of apparently imprecise thermodynamic data, a conclusi...