Deformation characteristics of the intermetallic alloy 60NiTi

The deformation behavior of a Ni-rich Ni55Ti45 (at.%) alloy, commonly known as 60NiTi (as designated in wt.%), was analyzed using neutron and synchrotron x-ray diffraction during in situ isothermal tension and compression loading, and pre and post-test electron microscopy. The alloy was shown to exhibit remarkable strength and high hardness resulting from a high density of fine Ni4Ti3 precipitates (size similar to 67 nm), which were uniformly dispersed throughout the matrix after a solution treatment and oil quench. The precipitate volume fraction was 55 +/- 3%, determined from both the neutron Rietveld refinement and conventional x-ray measurements. Non-linear stress-strain behavior was observed in tension (but not in compression) and was attributed to reversible stress-induced martensite (SIM) that forms to accommodate the stress as revealed by neutron diffraction measurements. The tensile and compressive neutron data also showed peak broadening and residual lattice strains. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed stress-induced coarsening of Ni4Ti3 precipitates in both tension and compression tested samples, but precipitation and growth of the stable Ni3Ti phase was observed only after tensile testing. Finally, the potential ramifications of these microstructural changes are discussed. Published by Elsevier Ltd.