Malleability, origin

If the SMA is sufficiently close to Tm, an imposed stress is sufficient to cause pressure-induced austenite —> martensite phase transitions in selected grains of the alloy, relieving the stress through pseudo-elastic deformation of the softer martensite grains. Similarly, if the original austenite-shaped alloy is brought below Tm to convert it to malleable martensite form, many deformations of macroscopic shape leave the martensitic atoms close to their... 

The mechanism of densification of particulate solids (Fig. 6.6) includes, as a first step, a forced rearrangement of particles requiring little pressure followed by a steep pressure rise causing brittle particles to break and malleable ones to deform plastically. During the entire process, porosity decreases so that fluids which originally occupied the pore space of the bulk feed must be able to escape and the initial elastic deformation must have sufficient time to either cause breakage or convert into plastic deformation (see also Section 8.1). These requirements limit the speed of densification and, therefore, the production capacity. 

Properties.—Physical.—It is a bluish-white metal brilliant upon freshly cut surfaces very soft and pliable not very malleable or ductile crystallizes in octahedra a poor conductor of electricity a better conductor of heat. When exx anded by heat, it does not, on cooling, return to its original volume. 

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