THE EFFECT OF LOW-DOSE NEUTRON-IRRADIATION IN CU-ZN-AL SHAPE-MEMORY ALLOYS

The effect of low dose neutron irradiation on the microstructure and o n the martensitic transformation temperature in beta-Cu-Zn-Al alloys w as studied. Small dislocation loops with [100] Burgers vector, arising from the collapse of individual cascades were observed. The transform ation temperature was unaffected by the irradiation. The results are c ompared with previous neutron irradiation results in the 18R phase, an d the implications regarding applications of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory all oys in irradiation environments are briefly discussed.