Influence of aging atmosphere on the superelastic behavior of Ni50.9–Ti shape memory thin wires

Superelastic properties of Ni50.9–Ti shape memory wires were studied after aging in argon and air atmospheres. The oxide surface layer was characterized using transmission electron microscopy. Tensile tests carried out at 50 °C up to 5.5% strain to examine superelastic response of samples. In order to determine transformation temperatures differential scanning calorimeter tests were performed. Results indicate that atmosphere of heat treatment affects the transformation temperatures and superelastic behavior significantly. Titanium oxide and Ti2Ni/Ti4Ni2O layers are formed, respectively, on the surface of samples which were aged in air. However, the oxide surface layer is not the main reason for significant difference between superelastic behavior of the samples aged in air and argon. The effect of compositional changes during aging induced by preferential oxidation of titanium on superelastic behavior and transformation temperatures is more significant than oxide layers formed on the surface of wires.