Influence of point defects and grains size on the course of reversible martensite transformation in melt spun ribbons of the copper based alloys

Abstract

Purpose: In the paper Cu-Al-Ni-(Mn, Ti) alloys exhibiting the shape memory effect were studied. For the investigated alloys the characteristic temperatures of the reversible martensitic transformation, the influence of grains size and vacancy concentration on the course of the transformation were examined. Design/methodology/approach: Using the resistometric method it was shown that the characteristic temperatures of the reversible martensite transformation strongly depend on the grains size. Findings: For Cu-Al-Ni alloy the activation energy of migration of monovacancies and the pre-exponential factor of the Arrhenius equation were determined as =(0.7±0.1)eV, Ko=1.7·10 º8.0±0.3s-1, respectively. Practical implications: The paper shows that the investigated alloys can be used as important functional or the so-called intelligent materials (actuators, sensors). Originality/value: The parameters of the electronic structure - i.e. the coefficient of conduction electron scattering at grain boundaries, the mean free path, the coefficient of reflection of conduction electrons at grain boundaries, and the electrical resistivity for Cu-Al-Ni in the martensite and parent phase were determined.