Thermodynamic analysis on relation between T-0 and sigma(M) in a Ti44Ni47Nb9 shape memory alloy

The effect of heat treatment on martensitic transformation behavior has been investigated in Ti44Ni47Nb9 alloy. The relation between transformation temperatures and critical stress of stress induced martensitic transformation is interpreted in terms of thermodynamic theory. It is shown that the decrease in transformation temperature in specimens of slow cooling rate or low temperature aging after solution heat treatment results from the changes of Ni/Ti ratio in the matrix. The increase of critical stress of stress induced martensitic transformation is a consequence of the decrease of transformation temperatures.