The　quasi-static　axial　buckling　response　of　super-elastic　NiTi　thin-walled　cylindrical　shells　has　been　investigated.　The　results　show　that　the　main　buckling　pattern　is　the　non-axisymmetric　mode　with　various　circumferential　patterns　depending　on　the　geometry　of　a　specimen.　The　specific　energy　is　strongly　related　to　the　geometry　and　the　buckling　mode　of　a　specimen.　The　austenitemartenite　phase　transition　is　concentrated　in　the　buckling　area　to　form　so-called　phase　transition　hinges.　The　buckling　behavior　of　a　specimen　is　significantly　related　to　the　phase　transition　and　phase　transition　hinges.　After　unloading　a　NiTi　specimen　can　recover　to　its　initial　shape,　which　differs　from　an　elasticplastic　specimen.　©　2011　Elsevier　Ltd.