Effects of amount of pre-deformation on precipitation of NbC particles and shape memory effect of Fe17Mn5Si8Cr5Ni0.5NbC alloy during electropulsing treatment

To further enhance shape memory effect (SME) and improve treatment technique in Fe-based shape memory alloys, an Fe17Mn5Si8Cr5Ni0.5NbC alloy was subjected to electropulsing treatment after pre-deformation. The results show that the shape recovery ratio increases with the amount of pre-deformation up to 10%. The maximum shape recovery ratio after electropulsing treatment is 8% greater than that after ageing at 1073 K. The number of NbC particles induced by electropulsing treatment is increased and the size of the particles is decreased with the amount of tensile pre-deformation up to 10%, and NbC carbides are precipitated more quickly through electropulsing treatment than by ageing.