A high-working-temperature CuAlMnZr shape memory alloy

The martensitic structure in the air-cooled Cu–11.91Al–2.48Mn–0.1Zr (wt%) alloy and its variation upon heating has been studied by X-ray diffraction and TEM. The forward and reverse thermoelastic transformation behavior has been studied by voltage measurement. The shape memory ratio of the alloy aged at 150 °C (in martensite state) for different times up to 100 h, or heated to different temperatures up to 620 °C followed by air cooling, has been measured. The air-cooled state of the alloy has a monoclinic martensitic structure M18R, which closely matches the N18R structure. This structure remains almost unchanged when the alloy is heated to 400 °C. When the alloy is heated to 620 °C, only a small amount of γ2 phase precipitates and a shape memory ratio of 92% is achieved. When the alloy is aged at 150 °C for 100 h, a shape memory ratio of 97.2% is achieved.