Microstructural evolution in the heat-affected zone of laser-welded superelastic NiTi alloy wire

•Ni4Ti3 precipitates were observed at the grain boundary of the heat-affected zone.•B2 structure decomposed to B19′ with Ni4Ti3 precipitates in the grain boundary.•Complete strain recovery did not occur in the heat-affected zone of superelastic NiTi.•〈111〉 or 〈110〉 textures may occur in the heat-affected zone of welded NiTi.