T. Abubakar

Correlation of microstructural and corrosion characteristics of quaternary shape memory alloys Cu–Al–Ni–X (X=Mn or Ti)

The effects of different contents (0.4%, 0.7%, and 1.0%, mass fraction) of Mn or Ti additions on the micro structure, shape memory effect and the corrosion behaviour of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and electrochemical and immersion tests in NaCl solution. It was observed that the microstructure, shape memory effect and corrosion characteristics are highly sensitive to the composition variations. It was found that the highest strain recovery was with 0.7% addition of Mn or Ti. This may be attributed to the presence of precipitation with a high volume fraction and the grain refinement. The electrochemical test showed that the formation of oxide layers in both Cu–Al–Ni–Mn and Cu–Al–Ni–Ti shape memory alloys (SMAs) provided good passivation which enhanced the corrosion resistance of the alloys. Immersion test showed that in Cu–Al–Ni–Mn– SMAs, pitting corrosion occurred through feebleness in the oxide layer. A corrosion product adjacent to the pits was rich in Al/Mn oxide and depleted in Cu while inside of the pit it was rich in Cu. In Cu–Al–Ni–Ti– SMAs, localized corrosion occurred on the surface of the specimens and dealuminization attack was also observed in the matrix.

Structure-Property Relationship of Cu-Al-Ni-Fe Shape Memory Alloys in Different Quenching Media

This paper presents the effects of heat treatments using various quenching media on the phase transformation parameters and microstructure parameters. The effects of different quenching methods, step-quenched and up-quenched, in various media were evaluated by using differential scanning calorimetry, field emission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Vicker’s hardness. The variations of the structure and properties of Cu-Al-Ni-Fe shape memory alloys were linked to the variations of morphology, type, and stabilization of the obtained phase. From the DSC results, the use of ice water as a quenching medium produced the highest transformation temperatures, while a brine solution-quenching medium resulted in the highest change of the entropy and enthalpy. Additionally, it was found that the best grain refinement was observed through the use of an oil-quenching medium, due to its high cooling rate.

Effects of Quenching Media on Phase Transformation Characteristics and Hardness of Cu-Al-Ni-Co Shape Memory Alloys

This paper presents the investigation on the effects of various thermal treatments and quenching media on the phase transformation behaviour of Cu-Al-Ni-Co shape memory alloys (SMAs). The transformation temperatures were determined using a differential scanning calorimeter. The variation of cooling rates had a consequential effect on the phase transformation characteristics of the Cu-Al-Ni-Co SMAs. Nevertheless, the transformation temperature peaks were varied in terms of location as well as heat flow. The results indicated that there was an improvement in transformation temperatures whenever ice water was used as quenching medium. It was also observed that the forward transformation temperatures were higher than the reverse transformation. It was verified that the required heat for the transformation of martensite into austenite was more than the transformation of austenite into martensite. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters, such as enthalpy and entropy, tended to decrease and increase as a result of the changes in the cooling rates of each medium. To clarify the variations of the structures and properties of Cu-Al-Ni-Co SMA quenched samples, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Vickers hardness were used.

Evaluation of the effect of bismuth on Mg2Si particulate reinforced in Al-20%Mg2Si in-situ composite

Al-Mg2Si in-situ composite as a class of advanced engineering materials has possessed better properties which enhanced them to be potential candidate to manufacture most of automotive and aerospace components. Melt treatment of the in-situ composite by addition of bismuth, Bi has resulted in a change of primary Mg2Si reinforcement to a refined morphology which would expect to improve mechanical properties of the composite. Characteristics parameters of Mg2Si particles have been investigated via thermal and microstructural analysis. It has revealed that 0.4wt.% Bi addition produced optimum refinement effect on the morphology since coarse structure has been change to polygon one and reduced most in size. The result also showed depression in nucleation temperature, TN and growth temperature, TG which also correspond to the refinement effect.

Effect of Ta Additions on the Microstructure, Damping, and Shape Memory Behaviour of Prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni Shape Memory Alloys

The influence of Ta additions on the microstructure and properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys was investigated in this paper. The addition of Ta significantly affects the green and porosity densities; the minimum percentage of porosity was observed with the modified prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni-2.0 wt.% Ta. The phase transformation temperatures were shifted towards the highest values after Ta was added. Based on the damping capacity results, the alloy of Cu-Al-Ni-3.0 wt.% Ta has very high internal friction with the maximum equivalent internal friction value twice as high as that of the prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni SMA. Moreover, the prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni SMAs with the addition of 2.0 wt.% Ta exhibited the highest shape recovery ratio in the first cycle (i.e., 100% recovery), and when the number of cycles is increased, this ratio tends to decrease. On the other hand, the modified alloys with 1.0 and 3.0 wt.% Ta implied a linear increment in the shape recovery ratio with increasing number of cycles. Polarization tests in NaCl solution showed that the corrosion resistance of Cu-Al-Ni-Ta SMA improved with escalating Ta concentration as shown by lower corrosion current densities, higher corrosion potential, and formation of stable passive film.

Influence of Tin Additions on the Phase-Transformation Characteristics of Mechanical Alloyed Cu-Al-Ni Shape-Memory Alloy

The influence of the addition of Sn to Cu-Al-Ni alloy as a fourth element with different percentages of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt pct on the microstructure, phase-transformation temperatures, mechanical properties, and corrosion behaviors was investigated. The modified and unmodified alloys were fabricated by mechanical alloying followed by microwave sintering. The sintered and homogenized alloys of Cu-Al-Ni-xSn shape-memory alloys had a refined particle structure with an average particle size of 40 to 50 µm associated with an improvement in the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. With the addition of Sn, the porosity density tends to decrease, which can also lead to improvements in the properties of the modified alloys. The minimum porosity percentage was observed in the Cu-Al-Ni-1.0 wt pct Sn alloy, which resulted in enhancing the ductility, strain recovery, and corrosion resistance. Further increasing the Sn addition to 1.5 wt pct, the strength of the alloy increased because the highest volume fraction of precipitates was formed. Regarding the corrosion behavior, addition of Sn up to 1 wt pct increased the corrosion resistance of the base SMA from 2.97 to 19.20 kΩ cm2 because of formation of a protective film that contains hydrated tin oxyhydroxide, aluminum dihydroxychloride, and copper chloride on the alloy. However, further addition of Sn reduced the corrosion resistance.

The Influence of γ-irradiation on the Structure and Properties of the Cu- 11.5 wt. % Al- 4 wt. % Ni Shape Memory Alloys

This study investigated the influence of 60Co-γ-irradiation on the structure and properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys. The phase transformation temperatures were evaluated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). It was found that the γ-irradiation had a complex influence on the phase transformation parameters of Cu-Al-Ni SMAs. However, the transformation temperatures were shifted and a new curve was obtained after exposure to different irradiation doses. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy and entropy tended to increase/decrease depending on the amount of the exposure. The structural properties of the exposed samples were studied by using optical microscopy and hardness measurements at room temperature. It was also found that the structural-properties of the Cu-Al-Ni SMAs were completely affected by the amount of the applied γ-irradiation dose.