Abstract
For the fabrication of bulk near-net-shape Ti-Ni-Cu shape memory alloys, consolidation of Ti-Ni-Cu alloy powders are useful because of their brittle property. In the present study, $Ti_{50}Ni_{30}Cu_{20}$ shape memory alloy powders were prepared by gas atomization and martensitic transformation temperatures and microstructures of those powders were investigated as a function of powder size. The size distribution of the powders was measured by conventional sieving, and sieved powders with the specific size range of 25 to $150\;{\mu}m$ were chosen for this examination. XRD analysis showed that the B2-B19 martensitic transformation occurred in the powders. In DSC curves of the as-atomized $Ti_{50}Ni_{30}Cu_{20}$ powders as a function of powder size, only one clear peak was found on each cooling and heating curve. The martensitic transformation start temperature($M_s$) of the $25-50\;{\mu}m$ powders was $31.5^{\circ}C$. The $M_s$ increased with increasing powder size and the difference of $M_s$ between $25-50\;{\mu}m$ powders and $100-150\;{\mu}m$ powders is only $1^{\circ}C$. The typical microstructure of the rapidly solidified powders showed cellular morphology and very small pores were observed in intercellular regions.
