Non-equilibrium local phase formation by high-speed deformation in NiTi

Materials responses under non-equilibrium conditions, especially in the state far-from-equilibrium, have been attracting great interest. Although of limited use, there are some tools available for investigating the phenomena, e.g. theoretical approaches such as non-equilibrium thermodynamics or atomistic computer simulation. The present study centers on high-resolution TEM of ordered NiTi specimens subjected to ultra-high-speed plastic deformation at Hiroshima Institute of Technology. Various local non-equilibrium nano-phases were observed to form due to high-speed deformation. Image analysis using high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) simulation and the FFT technique revealed that those meta-stable phases in the Ni–Ti system were R-phases (Ni4Ti3), O-phases (Ni3Ti2) and amorphous phases. The current study also elaborates on the formation and nature of deformation-induced lattice invariant shear bands. Our results suggest that ultra-high-speed deformation is a promising tool to study the material responses in far-from-equilibrium states.