Non-modulated martensite microstructure with internal nanotwins in Ni-Mn-Ga alloys

Abstract

The self-accommodated non-modulated martensite of Ni-Mn-Ga single crystal was studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy in the latter case using the electron backscatter diffraction technique. Three kinds of interfaces existing at different length scales were reported. The first, is the wavy and incoherent interface separating martensite variants observed on the micro-level with no-common crystallographic plane between them. The second is within a single martensite plate where the lattice rotates around one of the {110} pole to accommodate the interfacial curvature between martensite plates. Finally, at the nanoscale the third interface exists, a twin boundary separating internal nanotwins with the {112} type habit plane.