A short review on the interaction of precipitates and martensitic transitions in CuZnAl shape memory alloys

Abstract

The main effects of γ non-equilibrium nanoprecipitates in CuZnAl shape memory alloys are briefly reviewed. Aspects related to the nucleation and growth of precipitates are commented on and their effect on stress induced martensitic transitions is analyzed. Results concerning the relationship between the size of precipitates and the hysteresis of the stress induced β-18R transition are studied. The improvement of the two-way shape-memory effect after the introduction of precipitates is shortly commented on. The 18R-6R transition is also analyzed and recent findings on the optimization of the mechanical reversibility associated to the 18R-6R transformation in a matrix with a high density of nano precipitates are reviewed.