Papers by Author: S. Komatsu

Abstract: In this research, we investigated the fabrication conditions of Ti-Ni alloy powder by MA process and the shape memory characteristics of the sintered alloy by a pulse-current sintering equipment using mechanically alloyed powder (MA powder). The microstructure of the sintered alloy of the MA powder was more homogeneous than that of the alloy of the elemental powders. The application of the MA powder makes the width between transformation temperatures of the shape memory treated alloy of the MA powder became narrower, that is, it improves the temperature response of the compact. The tensile strength and elongation of the shape memory compact of the MA powder were approximately 780 MPa and 7.5 %, respectively. This is one of the superior tensile properties of SMA compact fabricated by powder metallurgy process. The superelastic behavior took place in the alloy of the MA powder. Thus, the MA process in short process time resulted in lower contamination of the MA powder and the application of the MA powder resulted in superior shape memory characteristics of the sintered alloy.

Abstract: Ti-Ni-Cu shape memory alloy by elemental powders was fabricated by using a pulse-current pressure sintering method, and it was subjected to solid-solution heat treatment after sintering to homogenize the microstructure of the alloy. The influence of the thermo-mechanical cyclic deformation on the shape memory and thermo-mechanical characteristics of Ti-Ni-Cu alloy was investigated. The thermo-mechanical cyclic deformation improved the deformation behavior of the sintered alloy and made the thermo-mechanical behavior of the alloy stable caused by the introduction of dislocations. As a result, the recovery stress of the alloy after the cyclic deformation fairly increased. The transformation temperatures of the alloy after the cyclic deformation became lower than those of the alloy before the cyclic deformation. Therefore, the superelastic-like behavior of the alloy after the cyclic deformation appeared in an isothermal tensile test at lower holding temperature.

Abstract: Using Ti-40mass%Ta-0, -4, -8 and -12mass%Sn alloys, the effect of Sn addition on phase constitution in the solution treated and quenched state and isochronal heat treatment behavior is studied by electrical resistivity and Vickers hardness measurements and X-ray diffactometry. To confirm shape memory effect of some of these alloys, shape-recovery test was also performed. Orthorhombic martensite,
” was identified in Ti-40Sn-0 to 8Sn alloy quenched from 1173K, while  phase was identified in STQed Ti-40Ta-12Sn alloy. On isochronal heat treatment, increases of resistivity at LN and resistivity ratio were observed in only 8Sn alloy, because these increases are due to reverse-transformation of
” to  phase. From result of shape recovery test, shape memory effect was observed in Ti-40Ta-4 and 8Sn alloys