The ultrahigh mechanical energy-absorption capability evidenced in a high-strength NbTi/NiTi nanocomposite

Abstract

A nanocomposite composed of NbTi nanowires uniformly embedded in NiTi matrices was fabricated, which exhibits an ultrahigh mechanical-damping capability. The absorption energy measured under an applied 8 strain is up to 54 MJ/m3, which is over three times higher than that (∼16 MJ/m 3) found in the well-known Ni-Ti alloys. In-situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction reveals that a redistribution of stress between the nanowires and matrices was evidenced from an abrupt change in residual lattice strains. The ultrahigh mechanical-damping property is attributed to a combination of the strong interaction of nanowires and matrices and the plastic deformation occurring in NbTi nanowires during deformation causing large energy dissipation. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.