TiNi Alloy Composition for Controlling Thermal Storage Phase Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing TiNi-based alloys for thermal storage materials face challenges in individually controlling phase transformation heat and temperature, leading to limited application range and difficulty in processing complex shapes due to brittleness and low thermal conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A TiNi-based alloy with controlled martensite start temperature (Ms) and austenitic finish temperature (Af) through specific composition and processing, allowing for strain introduction and adjustment, enabling flexible shape formation and enhanced thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water or paraffin is used as thermal storage material, then transformation heat per volume is very high (200 J/cc or more), but thermal conductivity is very low (about 1 W/mK) making it difficult to efficiently take heat into the material and dissipate heat to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformation heat per volumeVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses TiNi-based alloy as a composite thermal storage material that combines high transformation heat (230 J/cc) with high thermal conductivity, overcoming the limitation of conventional materials like water or paraffin which have low thermal conductivity despite high transformation heat

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If water or paraffin is used as thermal storage material, then transformation heat is high, but it is difficult to maintain a regular shape of the material because it is necessary to encapsulate the liquid and the shape is limited to a simple shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformation heatVSAvoidshape flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the solid-solid phase transformation capability of TiNi-based alloy, which can reversibly change between martensitic and austenitic phases, enabling the material to maintain regular shapes while providing high transformation heat without requiring encapsulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If oxide ceramics such as Ti2O3 and VO2 are used for thermal storage, then transformation heat is comparable to solid-liquid (200 to 250 J/cc), but the material is poor in ductility and processability and is difficult to process into a complicated shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformation heatVSAvoidprocessability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs TiNi-based alloy which combines the high transformation heat characteristic of oxide ceramics (230 J/cc) with superior ductility and processability, allowing the material to be easily formed into complicated shapes while maintaining high thermal storage capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If TiNi-based alloy is used for thermal storage, then thermal conductivity is higher than ceramics and shape flexibility is improved, but phase transformation heat and phase transformation temperature cannot be individually controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivity and shape flexibilityVSAvoidindividual control of phase transformation parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent independently controls phase transformation heat and phase transformation temperature by adjusting alloy composition parameters (Ti, Ni, Cu, Co, Cr, Zr, Fe content) and heat treatment parameters (heating temperature, holding time, cooling rate), enabling the material to be tailored for specific application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The alloy achieves individual control of phase transformation heat and temperature, facilitating wider application and efficient heat storage/dissipation across a broader temperature range, with improved processability and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a TiNi-based alloy exhibiting martensitic transformation as a solid-solid phase change is used. In the TiNi-based alloy, the transformation finish temperature (Af temperature) to the high temperature phase (austenitic phase) during heating is the endothermic completion temperature, and the transformation start temperature (Ms temperature) to the low temperature phase (martensitic phase) during cooling is the heat dissipation start temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transformation (martensitic transformation): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the alloy is capable of dissipating heat upon application of external stress after being endothermically heated to a temperature of Af temperature or higher

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress-induced phase transformation: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP4671396A1Tini-based alloy and thermal storage device including same, and method for producing tini-based alloy
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
  • EP4671396A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4671396A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4671396A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A TiNi-based alloy having a martensite start temperature (Ms temperature) and satisfying the following formula (1): Ms−Ms900°C≥2°C wherein Ms is an Ms temperature (°C) of the alloy measured according to JIS H7101:2002, and Ms900°C is an Ms temperature (°C) of the alloy measured according to JIS H7101:2002 after the alloy is heated at 900°C for 1 hour.