Mechanical Strength Evaluation of a CuAlBe Shape Memory Alloy under Different Thermal Conditions

Abstract

CuAl shape memory alloys containing 0.6wt% and 0.65wt% was casted by induction melting at room temperature without protective atmosphere and their mechanical strength evaluated as a function of the temperature. It was observed that the melting at room temperature does not promote any difficulty to control de beryllium content. The ultimate stress to rupture drop significantly with decreasing the test temperature is such way that the alloys became brittle irrespective to beryllium content.