Simultaneous enhancement of mechanical and shape memory properties by heat-treatment homogenization of Ti2Ni precipitates in TiNi shape memory alloy fabricated by selective laser melting

The excellent shape memory and mechanical properties of TiNi shape memory alloys (SMAs) fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) are highly desirable for a wide range of critical applications. In this study, we examined the simultaneous enhancement of mechanical and shape memory properties using heat-treatment homogenization of Ti2Ni precipitates in a Ti50.6Ni49.4 SMA fabricated using SLM. Specifically, because of the complete solution treatment, nanoscale spherical Ti2Ni precipitates were homogeneously dispersed throughout the grain interior. Interestingly, the resultant SMA exhibited an ultrahigh tensile strength of 880 ± 13 MPa, a large elongation of 22.4 ± 0.4%, and an excellent shape memory effect, with a recovery rate of > 98% and ultrahigh recoverable strain of 5.32% after ten loading–unloading cycles. These simultaneously enhanced properties are considerably superior than those of most previously reported TiNi SMAs fabricated using additive manufacturing. Fundamentally, the enhancement in tensile strength is ascribed to precipitation strengthening and work hardening, and the large plasticity is mainly attributed to the homogeneous nanoscale globular Ti2Ni precipitates, which effectively impeded the rapid propagation of microcracks. Furthermore, the enhanced shape memory properties are derived from the suppression of dislocation movement and formation of retained stabilized martensite by the presence of high-density dislocations, nanoscale Ti2Ni precipitates, and abundant interfaces. The obtained results provide insight into the enhancement of the two types of properties in TiNi SMAs and will accelerate the wider application of SMAs.