Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys with 10-14.5 wt.% of Al and 0-10 wt.% of Mn, were chosen for the present study. The transformation temperatures, shape memory effect and superelasticity of these alloys are highly sensitive to variations in composition. The influence of composition on these properties has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, bend and tensile test. It is found that with the increase in the amount of aluminum the morphology of martensite and its transformation temperatures change. On the other hand, an increase in the amount of manganese stabilizes martensite and enhances the superelasticity of the alloys. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vedamanickam Sampath

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Alloying

Bending tests

Differential scanning calorimetry

ELASTICITY

Martensite

Metallographic microstructure

Morphology

Shape memory effect

Tensile testing

Superelasticity

TRANSFORMATION TEMPERATURES

Copper alloys

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Materials Science and Engineering A

Even though binary Cu-Al alloys exhibit shape memory effect and higher transformation temperatures, they are prone for poor workability. This is especially the case with polycrystalline alloys. This limits their practical applications. Attempts have been made by researchers in the past to improve their mechanical and shape memory properties by ternary and quaternary additions, such as Mn and Ni, leading to improved ductility and shape memory properties. A similar trend has been followed by adding Fe to Ni-Al alloys so as to overcome their brittleness. The effect of Fe addition on Cu-Al SMAs has not been explored so far. In the present work, therefore, the effect of Fe on the transformation temperatures and shape memory properties has been studied. The alloy shows excellent shape memory properties and higher transformation temperatures. The results are presented and analyzed in the paper. © 2011 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.

Supplemental Proceedings: General Paper Selections

Effect of Iron Additions on the Shape Memory Characteristics of Cu-Al Alloys

The effect of alloying Cu-Al alloys with Fe on their transformation temperatures and shape memory properties was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and bend test. It was found that the minor additions of iron resulted in change of transformation temperatures and led to excellent shape memory properties of the alloys. Since the transformation temperatures are high, they are an ideal choice for hightemperature applications. © ASM International.

Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance

Effect of ternary addition of iron on shape memory characteristics of Cu-Al alloys

Copper based shape memory alloys have received much focus in recent times because of their good ductility, ease of production and processing and low cost. Earlier investigations have shown that ductility and other mechanical properties of the Cu-Al based shape memory alloys can significantly be improved by adding ternary elements such as Ni and Mn. While Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys have better thermal stability and higher operating temperatures, their practical applications are limited because of their poor workability. Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys on the other hand, have good ductility and workability, but their operating temperatures are lower. A similar approach is followed in Ni-Al alloys to overcome their brittleness by the addition of Fe. There is paucity of literature on the role of ternary addition of Fe to Cu-Al shape memory alloys. In the present work, therefore, the effect of aluminium and iron on the transformation temperatures has been studied. As the aluminium content increases the transformation temperatures decrease, while the ternary addition of Fe increases the transformation temperatures. The results are presented and discussed in detail in the paper. © 2011 Indian Institute of Metals.

Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals

Influence of aluminium and iron contents on the transformation temperatures of Cu-Al-Fe shape memory alloys

Acta Materialia

EBSD and TEM study of self-accommodating martensites in Cu75.7Al15.4Mn8.9 shape memory alloy

Materials Science and Engineering: A

Effect of alloying elements on the shape memory properties of ductile Cu–Al–Mn alloys

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Phase equilibria and Heusler phase stability in the Cu-rich portion of the Cu–Al–Mn system

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A

Thermoelastic martensite and shape memory effect in ductile Cu-Al-Mn alloys

Journal of Materials Science

Effects of manganese and ageing on martensitic transformation of Cu-Al-Mn alloys

Effect of alloying on microstructure and shape memory characteristics of Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys

Journal	Materials Science and Engineering A
ISSN	09215093
Open Access	No