Melting and solidification of TiNi alloys by cold crucible levitation method and evaluation of their characteristics.

The addition of Re, Fe and Cr into Ti–50 mol.-%Ni has been carried out to improve the oxidation and mechanical properties. The mono phase consisting of TiNi with the B2 type structure was identified in micro-alloyed materials proposed on the basis of the d-electrons concept. Experimentally, TiNi alloys were melted and solidified by the cold crucible levitation melting (CCLM) method. The TiNi–(Cr, Fe, Re) alloys with high purity and without contamination from a crucible were prepared, and the homogeneous microstructure was achieved by the diffusion mixing effect of CCLM even in the as-cast alloys which contained Re and Cr with higher melting temperatures and different specific gravities. The transformation from austenite to martensite phases occurred in all alloys below or above room temperature. Some alloys had the ability of shape memory even at room temperature. Ternary alloys showed a higher flow stress level compared with the binary TiNi alloy. On the other hand, the oxidation at 1273 K was promoted by the formation of titanium oxides (TiO2) on the alloy surfaces. The oxidation resistance was improved by the formation of the continuous Cr2O3 film in TiNi–Cr alloys. The alloying effects by ternary elements (Re, Fe, Cr) in the intermetallic TiNi as well as metallic materials were explained well using two parameters used in the d-electrons concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]