Microstructure and Shape Memory Behavior of Ti-18Nb-6Zr (at.%) Alloy

The microstructures and shape memory behaviors of Ti-18Nb-6Zr (at.%) alloy subjected to different heat treatments were investigated through optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and tensile tests. Recrystallization occurs in cold-rolled Ti-18Nb-6Zr alloy after solution treatment at 600~800 °C. The cooling rate after solution treatment at 800°C shows a dramatic effect on the microstructure of the alloy. The microstructures for the water quenching (WQ) and oil quenching (OQ) specimens are composed of single α'' martensite phase, while for the air cooling (AC) specimen, the microstructure consists of predominant β phase and a small amount of fine athermal ω phase. During tensile deformation, two-stage yielding is observed in the alloy subjected to 800°C/0.5h/WQ heat treatment. The stress for martensite variants reorientation and the yield stress for plastic deformation are 310MPa and 455MPa, respectievely, and the maximum shape memory strain of 3.1% is obtained with pre-strain of 6%.