Characterization of a hot-rolled Cu-Al-Ni-Ti shape memory alloy

The changes in the martensitic transformation of a Cu-Al-Ni-Ti alloy hot-ro lled at different temperatures have been studied in detail, covering differ ent aspects such as ageing in the parent phase at temperatures ranging betw een 250 and 350 degrees C, stabilisation of the martensite and betatization of the previously hot-rolled specimens. Besides the evolution of transform ation temperatures upon different thermal treatments, special attention has been paid to the changes in mechanical properties of the alloy, such as el astic modulus and internal friction. These results are analysed in relation to the microstructural changes as observed by transmission electron micros copy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.