Reversibility of crystal orientation in the reverse martensitic transformation in Fe-Ni alloys

Abstract

The reversibility of crystal orientation of austenite in the austenite (γ)→ martensite (α')→austenite (γ) transformation in Fe-Ni alloys has been re-examined because of the conflicting conclusions in previous investigations. Orientations of the crystals were mainly identified by the slip-line method which is applicable even to very small crystals. It is concluded that, after one transformation cycle, each austenite grain regains the original orientation except for small island regions. The results indicate that the reversibility of orientation of the parent phase is not only characteristic of ordered alloys as previously believed, but is inherent in all martensitic transformations.