A Theoretical Comparison of Two Possible Shape Memory Processes in Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced Metal Matrix Composite

Two possible shape memory processes, austenite to detwinned martensite transformation and twinned martensite to detwinned martensite transformation of a shape memory alloy have been modeled and examined. Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method with Mori-Tanaka's mean field theory is used for modeling of the shape memory processes of TiNi shape memory alloy reinforced aluminum matrix composite. The shape memory amount of shape memory alloy, plastic strain and residual stress in the matrix are computed and compared for the two processes. It is shown that the shape memory amount shows differences in a small prestrain region, but the plastic strain and the residual stress in the matrix show differences in the whole prestrain region. The shape memory process with initially martensitic state of the shape memory alloy would be favorable to the increase in the yield stress of the composite owing to the large compressive residual stress and plastic strain in the matrix.