Martensitic transformations in nanostructured nitinol: Finite element modeling of grain size and distribution effects

► FE model of martensitic phase transformation in nano-nitinol is developed. ► Martensite content in nitinol decreases drastically with reducing grain size. ► Martensite forms first on the border between coarse and fine grained regions. ► High grain size distribution gradient in NiTi leads to high martensite content.