Evolution of time-dependent deformation in a Ti-rich Ti–Ni–Cu–Pd alloy from solution-treated to aged states: Insights from spherical nanoindentation

The time-dependent plastic deformation behavior of the Ti-rich Ti–Ni–Cu–Pd alloy in solution-treated and aged states was systematically investigated through spherical nanoindentation creep experiments. The indentation creep results reveal that appreciable creep deformation occurs in both solution-treated and aged states even at room temperature, whereas the creep deformation in the aged state is significantly less pronounced than that in the solution-treated state. The dominant creep mechanisms in the two states are discussed on the basis of the obtained values of the creep stress exponent, n , and the corresponding activation volumes.