Recent development of TiNi-based shape memory alloys

Recent developments in China on TiNi-based shape memory alloys (SMAs), including TiNi binary SMAs, TiNiNb wide hysteresis SMAs, TiNiCu narrow hysteresis SMAs, TiNiHf high temperature SMAs and TiNiRE SMAs were concisely reviewed. The damping characteristics and corresponding mechanisms of TiNi and TiNiNb alloys were described and discussed. Some surface modifications of TiNi binary alloys were employed to improve the corrosion resistance and the biocompatibility, which are very useful for the medical applications. Shape memory effect and mechanical properties of TiNiHf alloys were enhanced by aging Ni-rich TiNiHf alloys, while the Ms still remain enough high. The authors found that the addition of RE to TiNi alloys increases the phase transformation temperatures and even changes the transformation sequence. Fundamental research on the TiNi-based alloys is still in the ascendant, leading to increasingly extending of the applications. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.