Two near single-phase NiTiNb alloys--NisoTi4sNb2 and Ni49.5Ti46.5Nb4-are prepared and studied by means of scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） and tensile tests in order to unearth the effects of Nb-atom solid solution in NiTi phase on the yield strength induced by self-accommodation of martensite variants. The results show that the yield strength of near single-phase NiTiNb alloys varies inversely with the amount of Nb-atoms solid-dissolved in NiTi phase. From the results out of the prior and current studies, it can be surmised that the effects of Nb content on the yield strength of NiTiNb alloys in martensite state depend on the coaction. Nb solid solution weakening mechanism and β-Nb phase composite strengthening mechanism. This inference might be a satisfactory explanation to the fact that the yield strength of （NiTi）50-0.5xNbx alloys in martensite state begins with decline and then rises when the Nb content increases.
NiTiNb shape memory alloys have attracted much attention in pipe coupling or sealing system because of their large transformation hysteresis upon a proper pre-deformation. In order to clarify the effects of adding Nb on the mechanical properties as well as the transformation behavior of NiTiNb shape memory alloys, Ni47Ti44Nb9 and Ni49.8Ti45.2Nb5 alloys with different microstructures but with similar martensitic transformation start temperature, are prepared. Comparative studies on the microstructures, mechanical proPerties and transformation characteristics are conducted by means of scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, phase transformation measurements and mechanical property tests. It is found that Nia7Ti44Nb9 and Ni49.8Ti45.2Nb5 alloys possess similar transformation hysteresis in the as-annealed state. However, the presence of Nb and its status exerts important effects on the mechanical properties, especially the yield strength and the yield behavior of the alloys. Ni49.8Ti45.2Nb5 alloy exhibits remarkable increase in the yield strength than the Ni47Ti44Nb9 alloy. The transformation hysteresis of both alloys under pre-deformation is characterized and the relative mechanism is discussed.
