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The effects of different forming process on the microstructure, martensitic transformation, and mechanical properties of the Ni50Mn34In14Co2 (numbers indicate at.%) alloys were investigated in detail. The results show that the microstructure of Ni50Mn34In14Co2 alloy consists of the matrix and the second phase by powder hot forging technology under the forces in different directions and spark plasma sintering (SPS), and the prepared sample has obvious preferred orientation by applied force in the three directions. The grain and the second phase of prepared sample were obviously refined by the hot forging technology. The martensitic transformation behavior was almost unchanged by different forming process. In addition, the shape memory effect of prepared Ni50Mn34In14Co2 alloy was significantly enhanced by different forming processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology and microstructure of dislocation etch pits in GaN epilayers etched by molten KOH have been investigated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Three types of etch pits (α, β, and γ) are observed. The α type etch pit shows an inversed trapezoidal shape, the β one has a triangular shape, and the γ type one has a combination of triangular and trapezoidal shapes. TEM observation shows that α, β, and γ types etch pits originate from screw, edge, and mixed-type threading dislocations (TDs), respectively. For the screw-type TD, it is easily etched along the steps that the dislocation terminates, and consequently, a small Ga-polar plane is formed to prevent further vertical etching. For the edge-type TD, it is easily etched along the dislocation line. Since the mixed-type TDs have both screw and edge components, the γ type etch pit has a combination of α and β type shapes. It is also found that the chemical stabilization of Ga-polar surface plays an important role in the formation of various types of dislocation etch pits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ni53Mn23.5Ga18.5Ti5 ferromagnetic shape memory alloy has been aged under 2% constant-strain at various temperatures for 3 h, and the microstructure and martensitic transformation behaviors have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that after constant-strain aging, the amount of the Ni-rich precipitates with lenticular morphology is higher and the size of the second-phase particle is smaller when compared to that of the conventional aged samples. The martensitic transformation temperatures first decrease remarkably with the increase of aging temperature, and then increase when the aging temperature exceeds 973 K, which can be attributed to the change of the Ni-content in the matrix as well as the strengthening effect by fine Ni3Ti precipitates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Heusler Ni50Mn29Ga16Gd5 alloy with a high transformation temperature has been obtained by substituting 5 at% Gd for Ga in a ternary Ni50Mn29Ga21 ferromagnetic shape memory alloy. The microstructure and phase transformations in the Ni50Mn29Ga16Gd5 alloy have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. It is shown that the microstructure of the Ni50Mn29Ga16Gd5 alloy consists of matrix and hexagonal Gd (Ni,Mn)4Ga phase, which indicates a eutectic structure composed of these two phases. One-step thermoelastic martensitic transformation occurs in this quaternary alloy. Ni50Mn29Ga16Gd5 alloy exhibits a martensite transformation start temperature up to 524 K, approximately 200 K higher than that of Ni50Mn29Ga21 alloy. At room temperature, non-modulated martensite with twin substructure is observed in Ni50Mn29Ga16Gd5 alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, 1 at% Y was added to Ti-50.7at%Ni alloy to prepare Ti-50.2Ni-1Y alloy and the effects of rare earth Y addition on the microstructure and martensitic transformation behavior of Ti-50.7at%Ni alloy was investigated by optical microscope, scanning electronic microscope (SEM) X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show the microstructure of Ti-50.2Ni-1Y alloy is different with that of Ti-50.7at.%Ni alloy, and its microstructure consists of B19′martensite and the Y-rich phase, which may be YNi phase. One-step martensitic transformation occurs in Ti-50.2Ni-1Y ternary alloy. The phase transformation temperatures increase rapidly with Y addition, and the increase of Ms is about 85°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructural aspects and interfacial characteristics of deformed martensite variants in a compressed Ni[sub55]Mn[sub20]Ga[sub25] (at.-%) alloy have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that the undeformed specimen exhibits a well accommodated morphology and a straight and well defined interfacial boundary. After deformation, reorientation of martensite variants occurs at the expense of unfavourable martensite variants, and the interfacial boundary changes from sharp and straight to curved and irregular. Meanwhile, lattice defects are formed inside the variants even in slightly compressed samples. With increasing deformation, high density lattice defects are generated and rearranged inside the variants as well as in the interfacial boundaries between variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High Mn content added to Mg-6Zn-0.3Ca extruded alloy remarkably refined dynamically recrystallized (DRXed) grains, and enhanced tensile and compressive strengths without sacrificing ductility. The large amount of fine Mn precipitates of homogenized alloy that formed effectively restricted new grain growth during the subsequent extrusion and generated ultra-fine DRXed grains. The ultra-fine DRXed grains and large amount of precipitates essentially enhanced the strength and improved the anisotropy of alloy. The Mg-Mn-x ternary systems that potentially formed ultra-fine grains were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]