Spark plasma sintering of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloy

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2013-11, Vol.577, p.S472-S477
• Main Authors: Portier, Richard A., Ochin, Patrick, Pasko, Alexandre, Monastyrsky, Gennady E., Gilchuk, Andrei V., Kolomytsev, Victor I., Koval, Yuri N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Copper; COPPER ALLOYS (40 TO 99.3 CU); COPPER ALUMINUM ALLOYS; Copper base alloys; Cu–Al–Ni; MARTENSITIC TRANSFORMATIONS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; PHASES; PLASMAS; Shape memory alloys; SINTERING; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Spark plasma sintering; SPARK SINTERING; Spark-erosion powders
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2012.02.145

► We have elaborated Cu–Al–Ni shape memory material by spark plasma sintering method. ► We have used pre-alloyed powder prepared by spark-erosion method in liquid argon. ► Sintering starts at 390°C; samples sintered at 650–700°C have the best quality. ► The reduction of CuO oxide to Cu2O oxide promotes sintering at low temperatures. ► Martensitic transformation has been indicated in sintered compacts. Cu–Al–Ni-based shape memory material was elaborated by spark plasma sintering method from the micron and submicron sized particles prepared by spark-erosion method in liquid argon from preliminary melted master alloy with the composition of Cu-13.01Al-3.91Ni-0.37Ti-0.24Crwt%. The effects of processing parameters, mainly temperature of sintering and sintering time on the martensitic transformation and microstructure of the sintered compacts were investigated. Both martensitic phases (18R and 2H) available for Cu–Al–Ni alloy of such composition as well as γ and α phases were found in sintered samples. Their amounts depend on the temperature of sintering and seem to be strongly affecting the Ms point. Although the powder has already sintered at 390°C the best quality of samples were found for samples sintered at 650–700°C.