Origin of high strength, low modulus superelasticity in nanowire-shape memory alloy composites

An open question is the underlying mechanisms for a recent discovered nanocomposite, which composed of shape memory alloy (SMA) matrix with embedded metallic nanowires (NWs), demonstrating novel mechanical properties, such as large quasi-linear elastic strain, low Young’s modulus and high yield strength. We use finite element simulations to investigate the interplay between the superelasticity of SMA matrix and the elastic-plastic deformation of embedded NWs. Our results show that stress transfer plays a dominated role in determining the quasi-linear behavior of the nanocomposite. The corresponding microstructure evolution indicate that the transfer is due to the coupling between plastic deformation within the NWs and martensitic transformation in the matrix, i.e., the martensitic transformation of the SMA matrix promotes local plastic deformation nearby, and the high plastic strain region of NWs retains considerable martensite in the surrounding SMA matrix, thus facilitating continues martensitic transformation in subsequent loading. Based on these findings, we propose a general criterion for achieving quasi-linear elasticity.