MACROSCOPIC AND MICROSCOPIC PHENOMENA OF NICKEL-TITANIUM SHAPE-MEMORY BIMETALLIC STRIPS FABRICATED BY EXPLOSIVE CLADDING AND ROLLING

In the present paper we report the fabrication of titanium/nickel bimetallic components by explosive cladding and rolling. The effect of the cladding and rolling parameters on the macrostructural and microstructural properties of the fabricated bimetallics is evaluated in terms of ''surface integrity'' by using standard metallographic methods, microhardness testing, optical and scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectrometry. Interest is also directed towards the detailed characterization of the intermetallic compounds formed at the interface since certain Ti-Ni phases exhibit the so-called ''shape-memory'' properties, desirable for electrical and electronic applications.