Comparative study on microstructure and homogeneity of NiTi shape memory alloy produced by copper boat induction melting and conventional vacuum arc melting

Abstract A comparative study was carried out on the microstructures of NiTi shape memory alloy produced by two techniques of copper boat induction melting and vacuum arc melting. The as-solidified and homogenized specimens were characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with EDS, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the microstructure formed in the copper boat method was free of segregation (Ti or Ni-rich precipitates) with a low scatter (

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