Abstract

Ti-50Ni(at%) and Ti-40Ni-10Cu(at%) alloy powders have been fabricated by ball milling method, and their microstructure and phase transformation behavior were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractions and transmission electron microscopy. In order to investigate the effect of ball milling conditions on transformation behavior, ball milling speed and time were varied. Ti-50Ni alloy powders fabricated with the milling speed more than 250 rpm were amorphous, while those done with the milling speed of 100rpm were crystalline. In contrast to Ti-50Ni alloy powders, Ti-40Ni-10Cu alloy powders were crystalline, irrespective of ball milling conditions. DSC peaks corresponding to martensitic transformation were almost discernable in alloy powders fabricated with the milling speed more than 250 rpm, while those were seen clearly in alloy powders fabricated with the milling speed of 100 rpm. This was attributed to the fact that a strain energy introduced during ball milling suppressed martensitic transformation.