Internal friction and dynamic modulus in Ru-50Nb ultra-high temperature shape memory alloys

Abstract

The martensitic transformations in ultra-high temperature Ru-50Nb shape memory alloys have been studied by internal friction and dynamic modulus measurements. Two successive transformations from the high temperature cubic β phase to a tetragonal β′ martensite and then to another monoclinic β″ martensite have been found. Both transformations exhibit a sharp internal friction peak and a clear softening of the dynamic modulus, being a signature of the thermo-elastic martensitic transformations. In addition, a pseudo relaxation peak strongly dependent on time has been found and analyzed, concluding that it is linked to a pinning effect of martensite interfaces by point defects.