Patent ID: 6355120
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: C22F

Abstract:
A method of inducing transformation-mismatch plasticity in a workpiece having a mass, the mass having an initial value, the workpiece being of a material susceptible to a phase transition upon changing concentration therein of a chemical component, the method comprising the steps of:a. changing in a first direction the concentration of the chemical component in the workpiece while the workpiece is subject to a biasing stress, thereby inducing the phase transition; and b. changing in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the concentration of the chemical component in the workpiece while the workpiece is subject to the biasing stress, thereby reversing the phase transition, the alternate inducing and reversing introducing a strain increment generating a change of about 0.5% in effective von Mises strain at a location in the workpiece, without increasing the mass of the workpiece except optionally due to incorporation of the chemical component therein.