Local chemical inhomogeneity enables superior strength-ductility-superelasticity synergy in additively manufactured NiTi shape memory alloys

Zhonghan Li, Jixiang Cai, Zhihao Zhao, Ying Yang, Yang Ren, Gang Sha, Lishan Cui, Kaiyuan Yu, Daqiang Jiang, Yao Xiao (), Shengcheng Mao () and Shijie Hao ()
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Zhonghan Li: China University of Petroleum-Beijing
Jixiang Cai: Beijing University of Technology
Zhihao Zhao: Tongji University
Ying Yang: China University of Petroleum-Beijing
Yang Ren: City University of Hong Kong
Gang Sha: Nanjing University of Science and Technology
Lishan Cui: China University of Petroleum-Beijing
Kaiyuan Yu: China University of Petroleum-Beijing
Daqiang Jiang: China University of Petroleum-Beijing
Yao Xiao: Tongji University
Shengcheng Mao: Beijing University of Technology
Shijie Hao: China University of Petroleum-Beijing

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract NiTi shape memory alloys produced via additive manufacturing are suffering low tensile strength, low total elongation, and unstable superelasticity, thus failing to meet the requirements of practical applications. Here, we report an strategy to substantially and synergistically improve the strength, ductility, and superelasticity of NiTi produced by laser powder bed fusion through establishing high-density Ni-rich local chemical inhomogeneity (LCI) entities within B2 matrix. Compared with other documented microstructures such as long-range ordered Ni4Ti3 precipitates, the present Ni-rich LCI entities are unique to increase the resistance against dislocation slip, facilitate stress-induced martensitic transformation, and most importantly, relieve local stress concentration around micro-pore defects and entity interfaces. This specialized microstructure endows tensile superelasticity, i.e., tensile ultimate strength of 958.7 MPa, total tensile elongation of 11.2%, superelastic strain exceeding 7%, and superior cyclic stability. The results advance our capabilities in fabricating high-performance superelastic SMAs with complex geometries through additive manufacturing and LCI engineering.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56775-0

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