Modified Bohm’s formalism was applied to solve the problem of abstruse layer depth profiles measured by the Auger electron spectroscopy technique in real physical systems. The desorbed carbon/passive layer on an NiTi substrate and the adsorbed oxygen/ surface of an NiTi alloy were studied. It was shown that the abstruse layer profiles can be converted to real layer structures using the modified Bohm’s theory, where the quantum potential is due to the Auger electron effect. It is also pointed out that the stationary probability density predicts the multilayer structures of the abstruse depth profiles that are caused by the carbon desorption and oxygen adsorption processes. The criterion for a kind of break or “cut” between the physical and unphysical multilayer systems was found. We conclude with the statement that the physics can also be characterised by the abstruse measurement and modified Bohm’s formalism.

In the present study, the corrosion behaviors of amorphous-nanocrystalline Ni50Ti50 shape memory alloy with different crystallite sizes were investigated. The Ni50Ti50 homogenized specimens were hot rolled and annealed at 950°C. Thereafter, the nanocrystalline Ni50Ti50 specimens with different crystalline sizes in the range of 40-350 nm were prepared by cold rolling and annealing at temperature range of 400 to 900oC. The corrosion resistance of Ni50Ti50 specimen with coarse grain size has significantly increased after cold rolling as a result of the formation of amorphous-nanocrystalline structure. The amorphous and nanocrystalline (with the crystallite size of about 40 nm) Ni50Ti50 samples exhibited the best corrosion resistance in the 5% HCl electrolyte with the corrosion potential and corrosion current density of about –197 mV and 2.34×10–6 A/cm2, respectively. This effect can be attributed to the higher density of crystalline defects in amorphous and nanocrystalline structures to quickly form protective films on the surface.

Samples prepared using various additive manufacturing methods were compared in terms of structure, texture, transformation temperature and superelastic properties. Samples manufactured using laser engineered net shaping (LENS) method showed texture several degrees deviated from the <001> build direction, however with composition near to the initial powder composition, enabling superelastic effect. The electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) samples showed martensitic structure at room temperature due to a shift of transformation temperatures to the higher range. This shift occurs due to a lower Ni content resulting from different processing conditions. However, EBAM method produced sharper <001> texture in the build direction and made it possible to obtain a good superelastic effect above room temperature. Intermetallic particles of size 0.5-2 mm were identified as Ti2Ni phase using EDS and electron diffraction analyses. This phase was often formed at the grain boundaries. Contrary to the LENS method, the EBAM prepared samples showed Ni-rich primary particles resulted from different processing conditions that reduce the Ni content in the solid solution thus increase the martensitic transformation temperature. Ageing at 500°C allowed for shifting the martensitic transformation temperatures to the higher range in both, LENS and EBAM, samples. It resulted from the formation of Ni rich coherent precipitates. In samples prepared by both methods and aged at 500°C, the presence of martensite B19’ twins was observed mainly on {011} B19’ planes.

A 20 gram batch weight of NiTi alloy, with a nominal equiatomic composition, was produced by mechanical alloying with milling times of 100, 120, and 140 hours. The differential scanning calorimetry was used to analyze the progress of the crystallization process. The X-ray diffraction examined the crystal structure of the alloy at individual crystallization stages. The observation of the powders microstructure and the chemical composition measurement were carried out using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive detector. After the milling process, the alloy revealed an amorphous-nanocrystalline state. The course of the crystallization process was multi-stage and proceeded at a lower temperature than the pure amorphous state. The applied production parameters and the stage heat treatment allowed to obtain the alloy showing the reversible martensitic transformation with an enthalpy of almost 5 J/g.

Mixture of nickel and titanium powders were milled in planetary mill under argon atmosphere for 100 hours at room temperature. Every 10 hours the structure, morphology and chemical composition was studied by X-ray diffraction method (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as electron transmission microscope (TEM). Analysis revealed that elongation of milling time caused alloying of the elements. After 100 hours of milling the powders was in nanocrystalline and an amorphous state. Also extending of milling time affected the crystal size and microstrains of the alloying elements as well as the newly formed alloy. Crystallization of amorphous alloys proceeds above 600°C. In consequence, the alloy (at room temperature) consisted of mixture of the B2 parent phase and a small amount of the B19' martensite. Dependently on the milling time and followed crystallization the NiTi alloy can be received in a form of the powder with average crystallite size from 1,5 up to 4 nm.

Mixture of nickel and titanium powders were milled in planetary mill under argon atmosphere for 100 hours at room temperature. Every 10 hours the structure, morphology and chemical composition was studied by X-ray diffraction method (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as electron transmission microscope (TEM). Analysis revealed that elongation of milling time caused alloying of the elements. After 100 hours of milling the powders was in nanocrystalline and an amorphous state. Also extending of milling time affected the crystal size and microstrains of the alloying elements as well as the newly formed alloy. Crystallization of amorphous alloys proceeds above 600°C. In consequence, the alloy (at room temperature) consisted of mixture of the B2 parent phase and a small amount of the B19’ martensite. Dependently on the milling time and followed crystallization the NiTi alloy can be received in a form of the powder with average crystallite size from 1,5 up to 4 nm.

In this paper, a study was carried out to investigate the surface roughness and material removal rate of low carbon NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) machined by Wire Electro Spark Erosion (WESE) technique. Experiments are designed considering three parameters viz, spark ON time (SON), spark OFF time (SOFF), and voltage (V) at three levels each. The surface roughness increased from 2.1686 μm to 2.6869 μm with an increase in both SON time, SOFF time and a decrease in voltage. The material removal rate increased from 1.272 mm3/min to 1.616 mm3/min with an increase in SON time but a varying effect was observed the SOFF time and voltage were varied. The analysis revealed that the intensity and duration of the spark had an unswerving relation with the concentration of the microcracks and micropores. More microcracks and micropores were seen in the combination of SON = 120 µs, voltage = 30 V. The concentration of the microcracks and micropores could be minimised by using an appropriate parameter setting. Therefore, considering the surface analysis and material removal, the low carbon NiTi alloy is recommended to machine with 110 μs – 55 μs – 30 v (SON – SOFF – V respectively), to achieve better surface roughness with minimal surface damage.

The present work concerns analysis of the possibilities of synthesis of Ni-TiO2 composite coatings from electrolytes containing formate nickel complexes. A magnetic field was applied as an additional factor enabling modification of properties of the synthesized coatings through its influence on electrode processes. The presented data describes the effect of electrode potential, TiO2 concentration in the electrolyte as well as the value of the magnetic field induction vector on the deposition rate, composition, current efficiency, structure, surface states and morphology of synthesized coatings. The studies were preceded by thermodynamic analysis of the electrolyte. The obtained results indicated possibilities of synthesis of composites containing up to 0.97 wt. % of TiO2. Depending on applied electrolysis conditions current efficiency amounted to from 61.2 to 75.1%.