High temperature copper-based shape memory alloys with primary particles

Abstract
In order to lower the transition temperatures and increase the resistivity against thermal decomposition of the Cu-Al-Nb alloys, the effect of Ni, Co and Cr addition on this behaviour was studied The fourth element in the ternary alloy changes the chemical composition of the matrix and the particles of the Nb (Cu, Al) ₂ phase and decreases the plasticity of the quateniary alloys. To explain this behaviour the nano-indentation measurements have been carried out and changes ofthe elastic modulusand nino-hardness across the interface have been evaluated.