Prediction of microstructural patterns in monocrystalline shape memory alloys using global energy minimization

A frequent observation in materials showing martensitic phase transformations is the formation of twins. Considering monocrystalline shape memory alloys, analytical results are known stating which martensitic variants are capable of forming an unstrained interface with each other. Based on these results, an estimate of the elastic energy of the material is formulated. By global optimization, microstructural parameters such as the orientation and the composition of the martensitic twins are determined.