Influence of the Texture and Strain on the Behaviour of Ni53.6Mn27.1Ga19.3 and Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 Shape Memory Alloys
Abstract
Polycrystalline samples of Ni53.6Mn27.1Ga19.3 and Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 shape memory alloys were investigated using dilatometry. The longitudinal axes of the samples were perpendicular to the columnar grains.
Both alloys showed positive shape memory effects. The martensitic phase transformation occurred without hysteresis in both alloys with transformation temperatures of 174°C for the Ni53.6Mn27.1Ga19.3 alloy and 253°C for the Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 alloy.
The dilatation characteristics for both alloys were determined in three perpendicular directions. The strain associated with the internal stress at the interface between the two martensitic structures and the two grains affected the dilatation characteristics in the y and z directions (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sample).
The microstructure was determined for all the directions investigated. To investigate the mechanical history, a round cross-section of the Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 sample was machined using a milling machine along the longitudinal axis so that both sides of the sample were symmetrical.
This sample treatment changed the dilatation characteristics of the martensite and austenite. The study and analysis of the dilatation characteristics of the thermal cycle showed the relaxation of internal stresses and the reorientation of the martensitic variants.