Facilitating martensitic reorientation via porous structure of Ti-doped Ni–Mn–Ga shape memory alloy

Abstract Porous Ni–Mn–Ga shape memory alloy with the pore size of 20–30 μ m was fabricated by the powder metallurgy with the pore-forming agent of NaCl. The prepared alloy has a uniform pore distribution and a complete sintering neck, which reduces the number of grain boundaries. Pores constrain the transmission of stress, leading to stress concentration, which decreases the critical stress of martensitic twin variants reorientation (<10 MPa). Meanwhile, the strength of porous alloys can be tuned by the alloying of Ti. In addition, the porous Ni–Mn–Ga alloy obtained a lower critical stress for martensitic twin boundary motion after cyclic compression, which makes it suitable for devices that require energy absorption under low stress. The microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni–Mn–Ga porous alloy were analyzed, and the effects of pores on the Ni–Mn–Ga alloy were also discussed.