Aging effects in a Cu-12Al-5Ni-2Mn-1Ti shape memory alloy

The isothermal aging effects in an as-quenched Cu-11.88Al-5.06Ni-1.65Mn-0.96Ti (wt pct) shape memory alloy at temperatures in the range 250 degrees C to 400 degrees C were investigated. The changes in the state of atomic order and microstructural evolutions were traced by means of in situ X-ray diffraction and electrical resistivity measurements, as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical observations. The kinetics of the aging process, i.e., the temperature and time dependence of the properties including hardness, resistivity, martensitic transformation temperatures, and shape memory capacity were characterized, and at least three temperature-dependent aging stages were distinguished: (1) DO3 or L2(1) atomic reordering, which causes the martensitic transformation temperatures to shift upward and leads the M18R martensite to tend to be a N18R type structure; (2) formation of solute-depleted bainite which results in a drastic depression in martensitic transformation temperatures and loss of the shape memory capacity, accompanied by the atomic disordering in both the remaining parent phase and bainite; and (3) precipitation of the equilibrium cu and gamma(2) phases and destruction of the shape memory capacity.