The effect of nickel on the microstructure and property of Cu-Al-Nb shape memory alloys

T.A.A. Melo; R.M. Gomes; C.J. Araujo; R.E. Coelho; S.J.G. de Lima

doi:doi:10.1051/jp4:2003945

Issue		J. Phys. IV France Volume 112, October 2003


Page(s)		549 - 552
DOI		https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:2003945

J. Phys. IV France 112 (2003) 549
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:2003945

The effect of nickel on the microstructure and property of Cu-Al-Nb shape memory alloys

T.A.A. Melo¹, R.M. Gomes¹, C.J. Araujo², R.E. Coelho¹ and S.J.G. de Lima¹

¹ Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Centro de Tecnologia, Deparfamento de Tecnologia Mecânica, Laboratorio de Solidificaçao Rapida, Campas I, Joao Pessoa-PB, CEP 58059-900, Brazil
² Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Centro de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Deparfamento de Engenharia Mecânica, Campus II, Camp/na Grande-PB, Brazil

Abstract
In this study, alloys with a Cu-13.84Al-1.0Nb (wt. %) composition and different content of nickel (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%) were cast in a high frequency induction furnace, and reprocessed by the suction method for obtaining wires. The effect of Ni additions and the different cooling rates on the martensite stability and shape recovery were studied. It was observed that for alloys with a low nickel content the addition of Nb strongly influences the effect of tNi element by hindering the formation of the $\gamma_2$ (Al ₄Cu ₉) phase. ln alloys with a higher Ni content the XRD analysis clearly shows that the microstructure consists of 18R and 2H martensite.