Mechanical properties of NiTi-TiC shape-memory composites

摘要

This paper reviews recent work on the mechanical behavior of martensitic NiTi composites reinforced with 10--20 vol.% TiC particulates. The behavior of the composites is compared to that of unreinforced NiTi, so as to elucidate the effect of mismatch due to matrix transformation, thermal expansion, twinning or slip, in the presence of purely elastic particles. The twinning and subsequent thermal recovery of deformed composites, measured both macroscopically (by compressive testing and by dilatometry) and microscopically (by neutron diffraction), are summarized.