Martensitic surface relief in an Fe-Mn-Si-based alloy strained by bending

Samples of Fe-Mn-Si-based shape memory alloy were strained by bending. Surface relief from deformation and subsequent recovery exhibited tension-compression asymmetry. Tensile regions showed well-defined plate-shaped relief, whilst compressive regions exhibited more surface rumpling and compact relief. Irreversible plastic deformation is more pronounced in the compression region, contributing to reduced shape memory.