Structure and properties of a ribbon quenched from a molten Mn-Cu-Cr alloywith reversible shape memory

Alloys based on the Mn - Cu system with a martensitic f.c.c --> f.c.t. tran sformation are typical representatives of materials with a reversible shape memory effect. Plastically deformed in a martensite state, specimens of th ese alloys reversibly change their shape in repeated cooling and heating. T he attained values of reversible (epsilon(rev)) and specific reversible (d epsilon(rev)/dt) thermodeformation, the very slight hysteresis of thermodef ormation in thermocycling, and the possibility of a wide variation in the t emperature range of the highest thermosensitivity by alloying and heat trea tment make Mn - Cu-base alloys a promising material for thermoregulators us ed in various fields of engineering.