Mechanical properties of alloys with reversible martensitic transformation

Characteristics of the formation of properties of alloys with reversible martensitic transformation are examined from positions of the theory of structure formation in open, highly nonequilibrium, thermodynamic systems. It is shown that strain hardening of a metal is linearly connected with change in entropy and is a measure of the nonequilibrium state of the system and that it can be used for calculating the entropy change. Based on analysis of the energy state of the material, the article establishes that it is possible to determine stress levels corresponding to instant of loss of the form memory effect with plastic deformation and to failure under a simple type of stress. Calculated values of these characteristics of alloys are in good agreement with experimental data of the authors and other published data. The thermodynamics of reversible martensitic transformation are examined.