Thermal, microstructural and elastic modulus behavior of Ti50Ni50−xNbx (x = 0–25%at) shape memory alloys obtained by plasma arc melting

•TiNiNb alloys have been successfully produced by plasma arc melting.•The amount Nb added and Ni/Ti ratio influence microstructure evolution and the phase transformation temperatures.•Nb additions resulted in practically constant values of starting martensite transformation temperatures (Ms).•In the 5%at to 15%at range, Nb additions decreased the average hardness and elastic modulus.