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At least 415 records · Page 23

The effect of chemical composition and austenite conditioning on the transformation behavior of microalloyed steels

In this investigation, by using continuous cooling torsion (CCT) testing, the transformation behavior of four microalloyed steels under two circumstances of austenite conditioning and non-conditioning was studied. A full scale hot-rolling schedule containing a 13-pass deformation was employed for the conditioning of the austenite. The CCT tests were then employed till temperature of {approx} 540 Degree-Sign C and the flow curves obtained from this process were analyzed. The initial and final microstructures of the steels were studied by optical and electron microscopes. Results show that alloying elements would decrease the transformation temperature. This effect intensifies with the gradual increase of Mo, Nb and Cu as alloying elements added to the microalloyed steels. As well, austenite conditioning increased the transformation start temperature due mainly to the promotion of polygonal ferrite formation that resulted from a pancaked austenite. The final microstructures also show that CCT alone would decrease the amount of bainite by inducing ferrite transformation in the two phase region. In addition, after the transformation begins, the deformation might result in the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization in the ferrite region. This could lead to two different ferrite grain sizes at the end of the CCT. Moreover, the Nb bearing steels show no sign of decreasing the strength level after the transformation begins in the non-conditioned situation and their microstructure is a mix of polygonal ferrite and bainite indicating an absence of probable dynamic recrystallization in this condition. In the conditioned cases, however, these steels show a rapid decrease of the strength level and their final microstructures insinuate that ferrite could have undergone a dynamic recrystallization due to deformation. Consequently, no bainite was seen in the austenite conditioned Nb bearing steels. The pancaking of austenite in the latest cases produced fully polygonal ferrite structures. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Adding alloying elements would decrease the transformation temperatures. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Austenite conditioning increases the transformation start temperature. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Deformation could induce the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization in ferrite region.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In situ X-ray diffraction strain-controlled study of Ti–Nb–Zr and Ti–Nb–Ta shape memory alloys: crystal lattice and transformation features

Phase and structure transformations in biomedical Ti–21.8Nb–6.0Zr (TNZ) and Ti–19.7Nb–5.8Ta (TNT) shape memory alloys (at.%) under and without load in the − 150 to 100 °S temperature range are studied in situ using an original tensile module for a low-temperature chamber of an X-ray diffractometer. Alpha″- and beta-phase lattice parameters, the crystallographic resource of recovery strain, phase and structure transformation sequences, and microstress appearance and disappearance are examined, compared and discussed. For both alloys, the crystallographic resource of recovery strain decreases with temperature increase to become 4.5% for TNZ and 2.5% for TNT alloy (at RT). Loading at low temperatures leads to additional α″-phase formation and reorientation. Heating under load, as compared to strain-free heating, affects the reverse transformation sequence of both alloys in different ways. For TNZ alloy, strain-free heating results in simultaneous ω→β and α″→β transformations, whereas during heating under stress, they are sequential: β + ω→α″ precedes α″→β. For TNT alloy, strain-free heating results in reverse α″→β transformation, whereas during heating under stress, α″→β transformation is preceded by α″-phase reorientation. - Highlights: • Comparative in situ XRD analysis of Ti–Nb–Zr(Ta) shape memory alloys is realized. • Lattice parameters of β- and α″-phases are calculated in the − 150 to + 100 °C range. • The higher the temperature, the lower the α″→β transformation strain. • Loading at low temperatures results in α″-phase formation and reorientation. • Transformation sequences upon heating with and without loading are different.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of thickness and Ti interlayers on stresses and texture transformations in thin Ag films during thermal cycling

The driving forces for the (111) to (100) texture transformation often observed during annealing of thin face-centered cubic metal films were investigated. Thin passivated silver films were produced with and without Ti adhesion layers. Stresses were measured in situ during heating to induce the texture transformation, and the texture was characterized using x-ray diffraction. Sufficiently thin films did not transform and sufficiently thick films transformed fully. Intermediate thickness films transformed to an extent dependent on thickness, leading to stable mixed textures. In the prevailing thermodynamic model, texture transformation is attributed to minimization of strain and interface energies. However, calculations using the measured stresses, known elastic constants, and estimated interface energies in this model reveal that the stresses are not sufficient to cause the texture transformation and, furthermore, that variations in interface energy cannot lead to the observed behavior. The results suggest that neither the interface energy nor the stress plays decisive roles in the texture transformation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Graphite to diamond transformation under shock compression: Role of orientational order

To gain insight into the role of orientational order on the shock-induced graphite to diamond phase transformation, three pyrolytic graphite types having different orientational orders were shock-compressed along the average c -axis to peak stresses between 35 and 69 GPa. The materials studied were ZYB-grade highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), ZYH-grade HOPG, and as-deposited pyrolytic graphite (PG) having mosaic spreads of 0.8° ± 0.2°, 3.5° ± 1.5°, and ~45°, respectively. Wave profiles, obtained using laser interferometry, show a multiple-wave structure with a distinct, rapid (<10 ns) rise to the high-pressure phase for each graphite type. Multiple-wave profiles, first observed in this study for the less ordered ZYH-grade HOPG and PG samples, show that somewhat poorly oriented pyrolytic graphites also undergo a well-defined phase transformation. Previously, rapid transformation was reported for ZYB-grade but not ZYH-grade HOPG. The measured wave profiles for both HOPG grades are very similar and both grades show a ~22 GPa transformation stress. In contrast, the PG wave profiles are quite different and show a ~46 GPa transformation stress. The continuum results (stress-density states) presented here cannot distinguish between the different high-pressure phases [hexagonal diamond (HD) or cubic diamond] reported in recent x-ray studies. Because ZYB-grade HOPG was recently shown to transform to HD and due to the similar peak states for both HOPG grades, it seems likely that ZYH-grade also transforms into HD. In conclusion, the very different shock responses of PG and HOPG suggest different transformation mechanisms for PG and HOPG, but the high-pressure PG phase remains unclear in the present work.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Reconfigurable unitary transformations of optical beam arrays

Spatial transformations of light are ubiquitous in optics, with examples ranging from simple imaging with a lens to quantum and classical information processing in waveguide meshes. Multi-plane light converter (MPLC) systems have emerged as a platform that promises completely general spatial transformations, i.e., a universal unitary. However, until now, MPLC systems have demonstrated transformations that are far from general, e.g., converting from a Gaussian to Laguerre-Gauss mode. Here, we demonstrate the promise of an MLPC, the ability to impose an arbitrary unitary transformation that can be reconfigured dynamically. Specifically, we consider transformations on superpositions of parallel free-space beams arranged in an array, which is a common information encoding in photonics. We experimentally test the full gamut of unitary transformations for a system of two parallel beams and make a map of their fidelity. We obtain an average transformation fidelity of 0.85 ± 0.03. This high-fidelity suggests that MPLCs are a useful tool for implementing the unitary transformations that comprise quantum and classical information processing.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

HEMP Transformer Defense Through Power Electronics

High altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) generated by exoatmospheric nuclear burst has the ability to affect the electric power grid. The main power grid components, cables and transformers, act as large antennas that have current induced in them from the HEMP. These currents are called geomagneticallyinduced currents (GIC), and they can occur during geomagnetic disturbances from HEMP or solar flares. HEMPs produce pulses with high electric field strengths that breakdown the dielectric of most electronics and, it is broken into three stages: E1 pulse with a microsecond width, E2 the falling trail of the pulse, and E3 a constant DC component. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has proven that transformers fitted with lightning arrestors do not receive damage from E1 and E2 pulses. However, the DC component of the E3 causes the transformer’s core to saturate and induce rapid heating that damages the transformer. SRNL is developing a power electronic system that is connected to the neutral of the high voltage side of large power transformers (LPT). This system will inject the inverse of the DC effect from the HEMP into the primary side of the transformer canceling out the E3 waveform and protecting the transformer from half-cycle-saturation. This year SRNL successfully simulated removing the DC injected and accurately simulated saturation on the transformer.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Effects of Stoichiometry on Transformation Temperatures and Actuator-Type Performance of NiTiPd and NiTiPdX High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloys

High-temperature shape memory NiTiPd and NiTiPdX (X=Au, Pt, Hf) alloys were produced with titanium equivalent (Ti+Hf) compositions of 50.5, 50.0, 49.5, and 49.0 at.%. Thermo-mechanical testing in compression was used to evaluate the transformation temperatures, transformation strain, work output, and permanent deformation behavior of each alloy to study the effects of quaternary alloying and stoichiometry on high-temperature shape memory alloy behavior. Microstructural evaluation showed the presence of second phases for all alloy compositions. No load transformation temperatures in the stoichiometric alloys were relatively unchanged by Au and Pt substitutions, while the substitution of Hf for Ti causes a drop in transformation temperatures. The NiTiPd, NiTiPdAu and NiTiPdHf alloys exhibited transformation temperatures that were highest in the Ti-rich compositions, slightly lower at stoichiometry, and significantly reduced when the Ti equivalent composition was less than 50 at.%. For the NiTiPdPt alloy, transformation temperatures were highest for the Ti-rich compositions, lowest at stoichiometry, and slightly higher in the Ni-rich composition. When thermally cycled under constant stresses of up to 300 MPa, all of the alloys had transformation strains, and therefore work outputs, which increased with increasing stress. In each series of alloys, the transformation strain and thus work output was highest for stoichiometric or Ti-rich compositions while permanent strain associated with the constant-load thermal cycling was lowest for alloys with Ni-equivalent-rich compositions. Based on these results, basic rules for optimizing the composition of NiTiPd alloys for actuator performance will be discussed.

Bigelow, Glen S.↗

Methods of resolving artifacts in Hadamard-transformed data

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for processing data transformed according to an invertible transform (e.g., using a Hadamard transform) multiplexing scheme. In one example of the disclosed technology, a computer-implemented method includes generating transformed data by applying a Hadamard transform to intensity data generated by modulating input of analytes into a mass spectrometer according to a pseudorandom sequence (PRS). The exemplary method further includes identifying at least one pair of symmetric intensity peaks in the transformed data based on the PRS and removing data associated with the pair of symmetric peaks from the transformed data to produce modified data, which can be used to identify, characterize, and/or quantify the composition of the sample. In some examples, the exemplary method further includes validating peaks in the transformed data based on comparing the location of peaks in the untransformed intensity data.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transformation-induced plasticity in bulk metallic glass composites evidenced by in-situ neutron diffraction

Transformation-induced plasticity in a strain-softening amorphous matrix consisting of austenite B2 phase was studied by in-situ neutron diffraction, coupled with molecular dynamic simulation. It was found that the martensitic transformation from B2 to B19' upon loading commenced at the macroscopic yielding which increased with the decrease of the fraction of the parent austenite B2 phase, and the threshold lattice strain for the martensitic transformation is almost the same in different samples, suggesting that the martensitic transformation in the current glassy matrix is strain-controlled. Analysis of load partition and strain accommodation unveiled that B2 has elastic anisotropy, and the desirable elastic match between B2 and the amorphous matrix ensures a good cooperative deformation. Additionally, molecular dynamic simulation revealed that atoms at the interface between B2 and the amorphous matrix deviated from the standard B2 lattices and acted as nucleation site for the martensitic transformation, eventually giving rise to the strain-controlled martensitic transformation. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism of phase transformation-mediated plasticity at the microscopic level, and have useful implications for developing novel, high-performance bulk metallic glass composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigation on phase transformation mechanism of zeolite NaY under alkaline hydrothermal conditions

The phase transformation mechanism of zeolite NaY under alkaline hydrothermal conditions was investigated by UV Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The results revealed that the products and transformation rate are dependent on the alkalinities. All of the starting and resulting zeolites are constructed with the 4-ring and 6-ring secondary building units. The products have lower Si/Al ratio, higher framework density and smaller pore size, which are more stable under alkaline hydrothermal condition. During the phase transformation the fragments of faujasite are formed, then the fragments combine to form different zeolites depending on basicity. Zeolite NaY crystals are consumed as the reservoir for the transformation products during the recrystallization process. For the first time, a 4-membered ring intermediate was found at the early stage of the recrystallization process. A cooperative interaction of liquid and solid phases is required for inducing the phase transformation. - Graphical Abstract: Phase transformation of NaY zeolite under alkaline hydrothermal condition is achieved by the cooperative interaction of the liquid and solid phases. A 4-membered ring species is an intermediate for recrystallization process. Highlights: • The products and transformation rate are dependent on the alkalinity. • A 4-membered ring species is an intermediate for recrystallization process. • A cooperative interaction of liquid and solid phases is required.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Continuous activation of Nrf2 and its target antioxidant enzymes leads to arsenite-induced malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells

Long-term exposure to arsenite leads to human lung cancer, but the underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain obscure. The transcription factor of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 p45-related factor (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant response represents a critical cellular defense mechanism and protection against various diseases. Paradoxically, emerging data suggest that the constitutive activation of Nrf2 is associated with cancer development, progression and chemotherapy resistance. However, the role of Nrf2 in the occurrence of cancer induced by long-term arsenite exposure remains to be fully understood. By establishing transformed human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells via chronic low-dose arsenite treatment, we showed that, in acquiring this malignant phenotype, continuous low level of ROS and sustained enhancement of Nrf2 and its target antioxidant enzyme levels were observed in the later-stage of arsenite-induced cell transformation. The downregulation of Keap1 level may be responsible for the over-activation of Nrf2 and its target enzymes. To validate these observations, Nrf2 was knocked down in arsenite-transformed HBE cells by SiRNA transfection, and the levels of Nrf2 and its target antioxidant enzymes, ROS, cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation were determined following these treatments. Results showed that blocked Nrf2 expression significantly reduced Nrf2 and its target antioxidant enzyme levels, restored ROS levels, and eventually suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation of the transformed cells. In summary, the results of the study strongly suggested that the continuous activation of Nrf2 and its target antioxidant enzymes led to the over-depletion of intracellular ROS levels, which contributed to arsenite-induced HBE cell transformation. - Highlights: • Low level, long term arsenite exposure induces malignant transformation in vitro. • Long term arsenite exposure reduces ROS and MDA levels. • Long term arsenite exposure enhances Nrf2-mediated antioxidant levels. • Knockdown of Nrf2 reduces malignant degree of arsenite-transformed cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Uncovering the role of nanoscale precipitates on martensitic transformation and superelasticity

Here we characterize the role of coherent nanoscale B2 Ni 50 Al 50 precipitates on the temperature- and stress-induced martensitic phase transformation in nanocrystalline Ni 63 Al 37 shape memory alloys using multi-million-atoms molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We studied two types of precipitates: one with single crystal precipitates (SXP) and a second where grain boundaries cut through precipitates (PXP). Simulations reveal that the presence of B2 precipitates stabilizes the cyclic flag-shaped stress-strain response, characteristic of superelasticity, and reduces remnant strain. In contrast, single-phase nanocrystalline Ni 63 Al 37 exhibits degradation of the reverse transformation during cyclic loading and, eventually, incomplete reversible transformation within a few cycles. This is consistent with previous experimental findings of ultra-low fatigue in Ni-Ti-Cu alloys with Ti 2 Cu precipitates. The simulations reveal that the presence of precipitates significantly improves the reversibility of the transformation by acting as elastic zones that partially shield the martensitic transformation and drive the reverse transformation. A detailed analysis of the MD trajectories reveals that the martensitic transformation of the matrix induces ultra-large elastic deformation in some of the B2 precipitates (approximately 12%) to the point of resulting in a martensite-like atomic structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum decoration transformation for spin models

It is quite relevant the extension of decoration transformation for quantum spin models since most of the real materials could be well described by Heisenberg type models. Here we propose an exact quantum decoration transformation and also showing interesting properties such as the persistence of symmetry and the symmetry breaking during this transformation. Although the proposed transformation, in principle, cannot be used to map exactly a quantum spin lattice model into another quantum spin lattice model, since the operators are non-commutative. However, it is possible the mapping in the “classical” limit, establishing an equivalence between both quantum spin lattice models. To study the validity of this approach for quantum spin lattice model, we use the Zassenhaus formula, and we verify how the correction could influence the decoration transformation. But this correction could be useless to improve the quantum decoration transformation because it involves the second-nearest-neighbor and further nearest neighbor couplings, which leads into a cumbersome task to establish the equivalence between both lattice models. This correction also gives us valuable information about its contribution, for most of the Heisenberg type models, this correction could be irrelevant at least up to the third order term of Zassenhaus formula. This transformation is applied to a finite size Heisenberg chain, comparing with the exact numerical results, our result is consistent for weak xy-anisotropy coupling. We also apply to bond-alternating Ising–Heisenberg chain model, obtaining an accurate result in the limit of the quasi-Ising chain.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Arsenite induces cell transformation by reactive oxygen species, AKT, ERK1/2, and p70S6K1

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Chronic exposure to arsenite induces cell proliferation and transformation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Arsenite-induced transformation increases ROS production and downstream signalings. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Inhibition of ROS levels via catalase reduces arsenite-induced cell transformation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Interruption of AKT, ERK, or p70S6K1 inhibits arsenite-induced cell transformation. -- Abstract: Arsenic is naturally occurring element that exists in both organic and inorganic formulations. The inorganic form arsenite has a positive association with development of multiple cancer types. There are significant populations throughout the world with high exposure to arsenite via drinking water. Thus, human exposure to arsenic has become a significant public health problem. Recent evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate multiple changes to cell behavior after acute arsenic exposure, including activation of proliferative signaling and angiogenesis. However, the role of ROS in mediating cell transformation by chronic arsenic exposure is unknown. We found that cells chronically exposed to sodium arsenite increased proliferation and gained anchorage-independent growth. This cell transformation phenotype required constitutive activation of AKT, ERK1/2, mTOR, and p70S6K1. We also observed these cells constitutively produce ROS, which was required for the constitutive activation of AKT, ERK1/2, mTOR, and p70S6K1. Suppression of ROS levels by forced expression of catalase also reduced cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. These results indicate cell transformation induced by chronic arsenic exposure is mediated by increased cellular levels of ROS, which mediates activation of AKT, ERK1/2, and p70S6K1.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

A transformed path integral approach for solution of the Fokker–Planck equation

A novel path integral (PI) based method for solution of the Fokker–Planck equation is presented. The proposed method, termed the transformed path integral (TPI) method, utilizes a new formulation for the underlying short-time propagator to perform the evolution of the probability density function (PDF) in a transformed computational domain where a more accurate representation of the PDF can be ensured. The new formulation, based on a dynamic transformation of the original state space with the statistics of the PDF as parameters, preserves the non-negativity of the PDF and incorporates short-time properties of the underlying stochastic process. New update equations for the state PDF in a transformed space and the parameters of the transformation (including mean and covariance) that better accommodate nonlinearities in drift and non-Gaussian behavior in distributions are proposed (based on properties of the SDE). Owing to the choice of transformation considered, the proposed method maps a fixed grid in transformed space to a dynamically adaptive grid in the original state space. The TPI method, in contrast to conventional methods such as Monte Carlo simulations and fixed grid approaches, is able to better represent the distributions (especially the tail information) and better address challenges in processes with large diffusion, large drift and large concentration of PDF. Additionally, in the proposed TPI method, error bounds on the probability in the computational domain can be obtained using the Chebyshev's inequality. The benefits of the TPI method over conventional methods are illustrated through simulations of linear and nonlinear drift processes in one-dimensional and multidimensional state spaces. The effects of spatial and temporal grid resolutions as well as that of the diffusion coefficient on the error in the PDF are also characterized.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Coupled nonlinear elasticity, plastic slip, twinning, and phase transformation in single crystal titanium for plate impact loading

High purity single crystal titanium (Ti) under shockwave loading in plate impact experiment is modelled and simulated, with help of the finite element. A thermodynamically consistent system of equations is formulated in the frame of large deformation to consider material anisotropy, rate dependence, and multi-physics including nonlinear elasticity, dislocation based plastic slip, deformation twinning, and phase transformation. A novel kinematics is proposed to consider phase transformation in the α twin variants and also to consider the dislocation based slip in all of components of parent material, primary twins and the ω phase. The thermodynamically consistent driving forces for plastic slip, twinning, and phase transformation are developed based upon the second law of thermodynamics. For nonlinear elasticity, the stiffness matrix is dependent on the volume fractions of all components, and the volumetric part of Cauchy stress is obtained from the nonlinear equation of state. Dislocation based plastic slip in multi-variant and multiphase heterogeneous materials is developed and interactions of dislocations among all slip modes are taken into account. A mechanism for dislocation density evolution during twinning and phase transformation is proposed. The shock loading along the [0001] and [10$\bar{1}1$ directions of single crystal high purity Ti is investigated computationally. Very good correspondence between simulation and experiment is obtained, which includes pole figures, volume fractions of components, free surface velocity, peak pressure, and phase transformation pressure. Multiple experimental phenomena are interpreted based upon the progression of dislocation slip, deformation twinning, and phase transformation. In compression with the [10$\bar{1}1$ crystal, a higher volume fraction in the primary twins but a lower secondary twin volume fraction in the [0001] crystal in experiment was observed. Finally, the higher propensity for phase transformation occurs in the [0001] crystal is reproduced. In addition to material texture, distributions of temperature, stresses, and plastic strains dependent on the impact loading directions are revealed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural phase transformation of as-prepared Mg–Mn nanoferrites by annealing temperature

As-prepared Mg{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 0.8}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoferrite samples by coprecipitation method were annealed at different temperatures T. XRD, TEM, IR, VSM and Mössbauer techniques were used to characterize the samples. This study proved the transformation of the sample structure from cubic spinel to Z-type hexagonal phase at 700 °C. This transformation was assigned to Jahn–Teller effect of the Mn{sup 3+} and Fe{sup 2+} ions and/or atomic disorder in the crystal lattice. All the deduced structural parameters were affected by the transformation process. The infrared and structural parameters showed dependence on T, whereas tetrahedral band position did not. TEM images showed agglomeration of the nanoparticles, where the average particle size ranged 25–55 nm and was a little higher than R. Study on the elastic properties proved the weakening of inter-atomic bonds inside the crystal lattice as T increases. The magnetic properties were affected by the transformation process and showed T dependence, whereas M{sub s} and H{sub c} proved dependence on porosity. Hyperfine interaction parameters, area ratio (B/A) and spontaneous magnetization were discussed as functions of T. - Graphical abstract: The XRD patterns of as-prepared (AP) and annealed Mg{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 0.8}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. - Highlights: • As-prepared Mg–Mn nanoferrites were annealed at different temperatures T. • Sample structure was transformed from cubic to Z-type hexagonal with T. • This transformation was attributed to Jahn–Teller effect and atomic disorder. • The deduced parameters were affected by annealing and transformation process. • The porosity was affected the saturation magnetization and coercivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructures and phase transformations of Ti-30Zr-xNb (x = 5, 7, 9, 13 at.%) shape memory alloys

The microstructures, phase transformations and shape memory properties of Ti-30Zr-xNb (x = 5, 7, 9, 13 at.%) alloys were investigated. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy observations showed that the Ti-30Zr-5Nb, Ti-30Zr-7/9Nb and Ti-30Zr-13Nb alloys were composed of the hcp α′-martensite, orthorhombic α″-martensite and β phases, respectively. The results indicated the enhanced β-stabilizing effect of Nb in Ti-30Zr-xNb alloys than that in Ti-Nb alloys due to the high content of Zr. The differential scanning calorimetry test indicated that the Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy displayed a reversible transformation with a high martensitic transformation start temperature of 776 K and a reverse martensitic transformation start temperature (A{sub s}) of 790 K. For the Ti-30Zr-7Nb and Ti-30Zr-9Nb alloys, the martensitic transformation temperatures decreased with the increasing Nb content. Moreover, an ω phase transformation occurred in the both alloys upon heating at a temperature lower than the corresponding A{sub s}, which is prompted by more addition of Nb. Although the critical stress in tension of the three martensitic alloys decreased with increasing Nb content, the Ti-30Zr-9Nb alloy showed a critical stress of as high as 300 MPa. Among all the alloys, the Ti-30Zr-9Nb alloy exhibited the maximum shape memory effect of 1.61%, due to the lowest critical stress for the martensite reorientation. - Highlights: •Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy is composed of hcp α′-martensite with the M{sub s} of 776 K. •Ti-30Zr-7Nb and Ti-30Zr-9Nb alloys are predominated by orthorhombic α″-martensite. •Ti-30Zr-13Nb alloy consists of a single β phase due to the β-stabilizing effect of Nb. •The martensitic transformation temperatures decrease with increasing Nb content. •Ti-30Zr-9Nb alloy shows the maximum shape memory effect of 1.61%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗