Microstructure and Martensitic Transformation Behaviors of Explosively Welded NiTi/NiTi Laminates

The study is a first attempt to prepare bulk NiTi/NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) laminates with a macroscopic heterogeneous composition by explosive welding and investigate their microstructures and martensitic transformation behaviors. After explosive welding, a perfect interfacial bonding between the two components and a reversible martensitic transformation are realized in the tandem. Results show achievement of a fine granular structure and the maximum value of microhardness near the welding interface because of the excessive cold plastic deformation and the high impact velocity during the explosive welding. Meanwhile, the effects of aging on the transformation of the welded tandem are investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and subject to discussion. The transformation temperatures of NiTi/NiTi SMAs increase with the rise of the aging temperature. The experimental results indicate the shape memory properties of NiTi/NiTi SMA fabricated by explosive welding can be improved by optimizing the aging technology.