Thermomechanical investigations of martensitic and reverse transformations in TiNi shape memory alloy

Shape memory alloys are characterised by interesting properties, i.e. shape memory effect and pseudoelasticity, which enable their increasing application. Thermomechanical aspects of martensitic and reverse transformations in TiNi shape memory alloy subjected to tension tests were investigated. The stress-strain characteristics obtained during the tests were completed by the temperature characteristics. The temperature changes were calculated on the basis of thermograms determined by an infrared camera. Taking advantages from the infrared technique, the temperature distributions on the specimen's surface were found. Heterogeneous temperature distributions, related to the nucleation and development of the new martensite phase, were registered and analysed. A significant temperature increase, up to 30 K, was registered during the martensitic transformation. The similar effects of the heterogeneous temperature distribution were observed during unloading, while the reverse transformation, martensite into austenite took place, accompanied by significant temperature decrease.