Pressure-Assisted Electrothermal Explosion Synthesis of Titanium Nickelide

— Titanium nickelide alloys have been prepared by pressure-assisted electrothermal explosion (ETE) synthesis. We have examined the effect of Joule heating power on ETE parameters and the physicomechanical properties of the synthesized alloys. The results demonstrate that raising the electrical voltage applied to the starting mixture leads to a decrease in ignition time and increase in the maximum ETE temperature. The ignition temperature was 350°C, independent of the Joule heating power. X-ray diffraction characterization showed that the major phase in the alloys was NiTi. According to uniaxial compression test results, the compressive strength of the alloys is 1980 MPa. Their microhardness HV is 6.4 ± 0.8 GPa. Instrumental indentation has been used to determine their hardness under load ( HM = 9.4 GPa) and characteristics of their plastic and elastic deformation. The synthesized alloys have been shown to have high plasticity.