MICROSTRUCTURE AND MARTENSITIC TRANSFORMATION OF Ni_{50}Ti_{50-x}Er_{x} SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS

Abstract

The effect of rare earth element Er addition on the microstructure and phase transformation behavior of Ni_{50}Ti_{50-x}Er_{x} (x =0, 1, 5) shape memory alloy was investigated experimentally. The results showed that the microstructure of Ni-Ti-Er ternary alloys consists of the NiEr precipitate and the NiTi matrix. A one-step martensitic transformation was observed in all alloys. The martensitic transformation temperature M_s increased gradually with increasing Er content.