In this study, the combined effects of strengthening, precipitates, and textures on the shape recovery ability and superelasticity of thermomechanically treated Ti49.3Ni50.7 shape memory alloy (SMA) in both the rolling and transverse directions were studied by experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. Experimental results and theoretical calculations showed that the 300 °C × 100 h aged specimen exhibited the best shape memory effect because it possessed the most favorable textures, highest matrix strength, and most beneficially coherent stress induced by Ti3Ni4 precipitates. The 30% cold-rolled and then 300 °C × 100 h aged specimen exhibited the highest strength and superelasticity; however, its shape recovery ability was not as good as expected because the less favorable textures and the high strength inhibited the movements of dislocations and martensite boundaries. Therefore, to achieve the most optimal shape memory characteristics of Ni-rich TiNi SMAs, the effects of textures, matrix strength, and internal defects, such as Ti3Ni4 precipitates and dislocations, should all be carefully considered and controlled during thermomechanical treatments.
Keywords: precipitation; shape memory alloy; texture; theoretical calculation; thermomechanical treatment.