Structural and Phase Transformations and Physical and Mechanical Properties of Cu-Al-Ni Shape Memory Alloys Subjected to Severe Plastic Deformation and Annealing

Abstract

Using the methods of electron microscopy and X-ray analysis in combination with measurements of the electrical resistance and magnetic susceptibility, the authors have obtained data on the peculiar features of pre-martensitic states and martensitic transformations, as well as subsequent decomposition, in the alloys with shape memory effect of Cu–14wt%Al–3wt%Ni and Cu–13.5wt%Al–3.5wt%Ni. For the first time, we established the microstructure, phase composition, mechanical properties, and microhardness of the alloys obtained in the nanocrystalline state as a result of severe plastic deformation under high pressure torsion and subsequent annealing. A crystallographic model of the martensite nucleation and the rearrangements β1→β1′ and β1→γ1′ are proposed based on the analysis of the observed tweed contrast and diffuse scattering in the austenite and the internal defects in the substructure of the martensite.

Keywords

• copper shape memory alloys (SMAs)
• severe plastic deformation (SPD)
• high pressure torsion (HPT)
• heat treatment (HT)
• thermoelastic martensitic transformation (TMT)
• shape memory effect (SME)