Attempts have been made to quantify the amount of contaminants absorbed by liquid metal from commercial ZrO 2 -, Al 2 O 3 -, and SiC-base crucibles used for vacuum melting of Ni-45 wt pct Ti alloy. The molten alloy was held under vacuum for 90 minutes at 1450 °C to become homogenized. Reactions between the liquid metal and the crucible were investigated by visual observation, chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image processing, and X-ray mapping. The relative degree of contamination declined in the following sequence: commercially pure SiC Ͼ SiC-5 wt pct Al 2 O 3 -5 wt pct SiO 2 Ͼ slurry cast alumina Ͼ recrystallized alumina Ͼ zircon type A Ͼ oxygen deficient high-purity zirconia. Thermodynamic calculations showed a difference between the equilibrium and the experimental data, indicating that except for commercially pure SiC crucible, the amount of the crucible elements entering the melt is greater than the calculated equilibrium values. This discrepancy seems to be due to the immersion into the melt of the undissolved chemical compounds formed due to the reactions between the crucible and the liquid phase.

The concentration distribution and microstructure of NiTi shape memory alloys produced in vacuum induction furnaces operating at high and medium frequencies are compared with those of materials melted in vacuum resistance furnaces. The production procedure consisted of charging pure metals into a graphite crucible; raising the temperature to 1450°C under vacuum; holding the materials in high and medium frequency induction and resistance furnaces for 3, 5, and 120 min under vacuum; and allowing alloys to solidify in the crucibles under the same vacuum. The procedures in each of the three furnaces were made as similar as possible. Chemical composition, microstructure, and surface hardness of alloys were determined at different locations along the length of solidi ed specimens. Standard deviations in chemical analyses and hardness numbers were taken as criteria for specimen homogeneity. Results indicate that a high vacuum induction furnace operating at medium frequency is an appropriate equipment for melting NiTi shape memory alloys of the desired homogeneity, microstructure, and hardness.MST/5915

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Ti4Ni2O, Ti4Ni2N, TiC and Ti2Ni are brittle compounds usually formed during production and processing of the Ti-Ni SMA alloys. These compounds adversely affect on workability and shape memory properties of the alloy. This paper presents most recent findings related to the morphologies of various inclusions and Ti-Ni phases formed during and after vacuum induction melting and casting of Ti-45wt.% Ni material. Cast samples were mechanically and/or electrolytically polished and etched. Extensive optical and scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to characterize the composition and microstructure of the as cast Ti-Ni alloys. Results indicated that mechanical polishing followed by etching was not proficient to reveal sufficient data on physical specifications and morphological changes of the born brittle oxide and nitride and carbide phases. An innovative set of electropolishing/etching conditions was, therefore, prescribed to yield detailed information on morphologies of the brittle phases. Experimental conditions were devised for characterization of the Ti2Ni precipitates, as well.