Besides the unique shape memory effect and superelasticity, NiTi alloys also show excellent damping properties. However, the high damping effect is highly temperature-dependent, and only exists during cooling or heating over the temperature range where martensitic transformation occurs. As a result, expanding the temperature range of martensite transformation is an effective approach to widen the working temperature window with high damping performance. In this work, layer-structured functionally graded NiTi alloys were produced by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) alternating two or three sets of process parameters. The transformation behavior shows that austenite transforms gradually into martensite over a wide temperature range during cooling, and multiple transformation peaks are observed. A microstructure composed of alternating layers of B2/B19' phases is obtained at room temperature. The functionally graded sample shows high damping performance over a wide temperature range of up to 70 K, which originates from the gradual formation of the martensite phase during cooling. This work proves the potential of L-PBF to create NiTi alloys with high damping properties over a wide temperature range for damping applications.
Keywords: NiTi; additive manufacturing; damping; functionally graded materials; laser powder bed fusion; shape memory alloy.