Formation of B19′, B2, and amorphous phases during mechano-synthesis of nanocrystalline NiTi intermetallics

Ni–50Ti shape memory alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloying of the elemental powders mixture under an argon gas atmosphere. The structural and microstructural properties of the alloyed powders were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. Moreover, the Vickers microhardness of the powders was estimated at different milling times. According to the results, by milling progression, the amount of the amorphous phase increased considerably and after sufficient milling time (48 h), the mechano-crystallization of the amorphous phase into the more stable crystalline phases (i.e. B2 and B19′) occurred. It was found that the particles size and microhardness were significantly affected by the formation of the amorphous, B2, and B19′ phases. It was also deduced that, by appropriate heating and cooling cycles, the B2 and thermally-induced B19′ phases can be created. Furthermore, it was inferred that the formation of undesirable intermetallic phases (particularly NiTi2) during the heating cycle was considerably reduced by milling time evolution.