“…On the other hand, NiTi alloys may deform plastically in service, for example, during superelastic [6] and actuator [7] cycling, when superelastic NiTi stent is crimped into delivery tube [8], during shape setting [9] or, generally, when deformed NiTi element is heated far above 100 °C under external constraint [10]. Plastic deformation may also appear locally at stress concentrators-e.g., when cracks propagate during thermal actuation [11]. Plastic deformation frequently accompanies martensitic transformation, introduces irrecoverable strains, lattice defects, and internal stress into the austenitic microstructure [12] and affects functional thermomechanical properties of NiTi components.…”