Improvement of Ductility of Melt Spun Cu–Al–Ni Shape Memory Alloy Ribbons by Addition of Ti or Zr

Abstract

In order to refine the grain sizes of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys and improve the brittleness caused by intergranular fracture during deformation, the melt spun technique was applied to obtain alloy ribbons with a mean grain size of about 1 µm. However, the β 1 phase of the alloy ribbons with fine grain structure was still brittle. The brittleness of the material was remarkably improved without loss of the good shape memory effect by adding a small amount of Ti or Zr, which has a strong affinity for oxygen.