Effect of alloying constituents on thermal, microstructural, mechanical and shape memory properties of Cu-Al-Ag shape memory alloys
ISSN: 1708-5284
Article publication date: 21 July 2022
Issue publication date: 10 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of Al and Ag addition on thermal, mechanical and shape memory properties of Cu-Al-Ag alloy.
Design/methodology/approach
The material is synthesized in a controlled atmosphere to minimize the reaction of alloying elements with the atmosphere. Cast samples were homogenized, then subjected to hot rolling and further betatized, followed by step quenching. Eight samples were chosen for study among which first four samples varied in Al content, and the next set of four samples varied in Ag composition.
Findings
The testing yielded a result that the increase in binary alloying element decreased transformation temperature range but increased entropy and elastic energy values. It also improved the shape memory effect and mechanical properties (UTS and hardness). An increase in ternary alloying element increased transformation temperature range, entropy and elastic energy values. The shape memory effect and mechanical properties are enhanced by the increase in ternary alloying element. The study revealed that compositional variation of Al should be limited to a range of 8 to 14 Wt.% and Ag from 2 to 8 Wt.%. Microstructural and diffraction studies identified the ß’1 martensite as a desirable phase for enhancing shape memory properties.
Originality/value
Numerous studies have been made in exploring the transformation temperature and phase formation for similar Cu-Al-Ag shape memory alloys, but their influence on shape memory effect was not extensively studied. In the present work, the influence of Al and Ag content on shape memory characteristics is carried out to increase the design choice for engineering applications of shape memory alloy. These materials exhibit mechanical and shape memory properties within operating ranges similar to other copper-based shape memory alloys.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Authors thank AICTE for funding the equipment required to carryout the project (F.No. 9–264/RIFD/MOD/Policy – 1 2018–19 Dt 04–12-2019). Authors are grateful to Prof US Mallikarjuna, Professor, Siddaganga Institue of Technology, Tumkur and research team for their guidance in synthesis of alloy. Authors are thankful to SAIF, NIT Raipur for carrying out the XRD, SEM and EDAX characterization. Basic infrastructure and all the instruments for the work are provided by Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (A), Visakhapatnam. Authors thank M/S. SwamEquip Pvt. Ltd. Chennai for supplying bottom pouring type melting/Casting machine.
Citation
Tataverthi, S.V.K. and Devisetty, S.R. (2023), "Effect of alloying constituents on thermal, microstructural, mechanical and shape memory properties of Cu-Al-Ag shape memory alloys", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp. 1213-1229. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-04-2022-0144
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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