Microstructure, mechanical and superelastic behaviors in Ni-free Ti-Zr-Nb-Sn shape memory alloy fibers prepared by rapid solidification processing

Abstract Ni-free Ti-based shape memory alloy with superior superelasticity is promising and attractive for biomedical applications. In this study, Ti-18Zr-12.5Nb-2Sn (at.%) alloy fibers were prepared by rapid solidification method and then the effect of various heat treatments on phase constitutions, microstructures, mechanical properties, and superelasticity was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and tensile test. α phase was observed in the 673 K and 773 K annealed alloy fibers, leading to the degraded ductility. The total recovery strain at room temperature decreased, grain size and transformation temperature increased with increasing annealing temperature from 873 K to 1173 K. Athermal ω was observed in the 1173 K annealed alloy fibers. A good combination of clear superelasticity and high yield stress was achieved by annealing at 873 K followed by aging at 573 K due to the combined effect of the age-hardening caused by isothermal ω phase and small grain size, which indicates these alloy fibers have a good potential in biomedical applications.