The effect of the addition of element X (X = V, Cr and Zr) on the microstru
cture and mechanical properties of Ni-Ti-Nb alloys has been investigated. T
he results suggest that the addition of V and Zr plays an important role in
the suppression of the brittle (Ti,Nb)(2)Ni phase and for the improvement
of the plasticity of Ni-Ti-Nb based alloys. Solid solution hardening and Zr
of the matrix and the P-Nb particles in Ni-Ti-Nb based alloys can also be
obtained, which results in an improvement of the shape memory effect of Ni-
Ti-Nb alloys.