The effect of ternary alloying with vanadium on Ti-Pt shape memory alloys

Abstract

Ti-Pt alloys have attracted much research due to high transformation temperatures (1050oC) which makes them suitable for high temperature applications in automotive and aerospace industries. The binary alloy exhibits negligible shape memory effect and the amount of platinum (Pt) required to produce this alloy makes it very expensive which limits its practical application and commercialization. Ternary alloying of Ti-Pt could lead to solid solution strengthening and improved shape memory properties. Furthermore, ternary alloying by replacing Pt could reduce the cost of the alloy. However, it could lead to changes in the microstructure, crystal structure, transformation temperatures and transformation temperature hysteresis that would significantly affect the shape memory behaviour of the alloy. This paper investigates the effect of ternary alloying of Ti-Pt with varying vanadium contents (0-18.25 at.%) on the as-cast condition. The effect of ternary alloying on the microstructure, transformation temperature and transformation temperature hysteresis were studied. The Ti50-Pt50-x-Vx (x = 6.25 to 18.25 at.%) alloys were produced by the button arc melting method using elemental powders of titanium, platinum and vanadium. Results showed the formation of martensitic α-Ti50(Pt,V)50 with Ti3Pt, (Ti,V)3Pt, Ti4Pt3-like and oxide phases in Ti-Pt-(V) alloys. The phase transformation temperature of Ti-Pt alloys decreased with increasing vanadium content up to 10.2 at.% V.