Study on performance of Ti-14Nb-4Sn shape memory alloys

YANG Jun-qiang1， DAI Pin-qiang2
（1. Guangzhou Special Pressure Equipment Inspection and Research Institute， Guangzhou 510100， China；
2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering，Fuzhou University， Fuzhou 350100， China）

Abstract： In order to verify that Ti-14Nb-4Sn（at%）alloy can be used to prepare the pressure pipe fittings，the superelasticity and shape memory effect of the alloy were investigated. Aiming that quenching temperature has a significant impact on shape memory alloys，the alloys were quenched at different temperatures. The quenching temperatures which the good performance alloys require were confirmed through bending tests. The almost complete superelasticity of the alloy quenched at 400 ℃ was received through tensile tests. The superelasticity of the alloy was significantly improved by cyclic tension. The experimental results indicate that the Ti-14Nb-4Sn alloy quenched at specific temperature exhibits good superelasticity and shape memory effect，and it is one of best materials for making pressure pipe fittings.
Key words： Ti-14Nb-4Sn alloy；superelasticity；shape memory effect；quenching；martensitic transformation