Effects of Nb Content on Yield Strength of NiTiNb Alloys in Martensite State

Two near single-phase NiTiNb alloys—Ni50Ti48Nb2 and Ni49.5Ti46.5Nb4—are prepared and studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile tests in order to unearth the effects of Nb-atom solid solution in NiTi phase on the yield strength induced by self-accommodation of martensite variants. The results show that the yield strength of near single-phase NiTiNb alloys varies inversely with the amount of Nb-atoms solid-dissolved in NiTi phase. From the results out of the prior and current studies, it can be surmised that the effects of Nb content on the yield strength of NiTiNb alloys in martensite state depend on the coaction. Nb solid solution weakening mechanism and β-Nb phase composite strengthening mechanism. This inference might be a satisfactory explanation to the fact that the yield strength of (NiTi)50–0.5xNbx alloys in martensite state begins with decline and then rises when the Nb content increases.