Influence of the experimental technique on the quench temperature dependence of the martensitic transformation temperature in Cu-Zn-Al alloys

The shift of the martensitic transformation temperatures has been measured in a Cu-Zn-Al alloy as a function of the quenching temperature using different experimental techniques. Results from temperature and stress induced transformations were compared. It was found that the spread of the results is related to the geometry as also to the preparation time characteristic of each experimental method. The evidence of Zn loss by volatilization during the high temperature anneals is also reported.