On the functional degradation of binary titanium–tantalum high-temperature shape memory alloys — A new concept for fatigue life extension

High-temperature shape memory alloys are promising candidates for actuator applications at elevated temperatures. Ternary nickel–titanium-based alloys either contain noble metals which are very expensive, or suffer from poor workability. Titanium–tantalum shape memory alloys represent a promising alternative if one can avoid the cyclic degradation due to the formation of the omega phase. The current study investigates the functional fatigue behavior of Ti – Ta and introduces a new concept providing for pronounced fatigue life extension.