Effect of iron additions on the shape memory characteristics of Cu-Al alloys

Even though binary Cu-Al alloys exhibit shape memory effect and higher transformation temperatures, they are prone for poor workability. This is especially the case with polycrystalline alloys. This limits their practical applications. Attempts have been made by researchers in the past to improve their mechanical and shape memory properties by ternary and quaternary additions, such as Mn and Ni, leading to improved ductility and shape memory properties. A similar trend has been followed by adding Fe to Ni-Al alloys so as to overcome their brittleness. The effect of Fe addition on Cu-Al SMAs has not been explored so far. In the present work, therefore, the effect of Fe on the transformation temperatures and shape memory properties has been studied. The alloy shows excellent shape memory properties and higher transformation temperatures. The results are presented and analyzed in the paper.