Novel β-TiTaAl alloys with excellent cold workability and a stable high-temperature shape memory effect

beta-TiTaAl alloy, which has excellent cold workability, is presented as a new practical high-temperature shape memory alloy. The optimum composition range showing a stable high-temperature shape memory effect is identified, revealing that the addition of Al is more effective than the addition of Ta in obtaining a stable high-temperature shape memory effect. For example, in the thermal cycling test for two selected alloys (Ti-32Ta and Ti-27Ta-5Al) with similar M(s), the Ti-27Ta-5Al exhibited better stability since the formation of omega phase is suppressed. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.