Effect of Heat Treatment on Structure and Microhardness of Ti50Pd40Ni10 Alloy with High-Temperature Shape Memory Effect Studied on Rod-Shaped Blank.

Integrated studies of the structure and microhardness of Ti₅₀Pd₄₀Ni₁₀ alloy (at %) with a high-temperature shape memory effect have been carried out. The studies have been performed on alloy specimens cut from a rod 5.86 mm in diameter in the initial state and after various heat-treatment conditions. Data on the elemental and phase compositions, microstructure, grain size, and microhardness have been obtained. It has been suggested from the results of the studies of local phase composition of the alloy that ductility characteristics and, consequently, the shape memory effect of the specimens fabricated from a rod would be less than those of the specimens fabricated from a strip. It has been determined from the results of metallographic studies that the lowest microhardness of the rod alloy is intrinsic after annealing in vacuum at 850°C for 1 h and cooling with the furnace. Then, it could be suggested that residual strain and shape memory effect would be the greatest under these conditions. The results of structural studies of the Ti₅₀Pd₄₀Ni₁₀ alloy (at %) will be considered by the authors in the development of various safety devices in nuclear power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]