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Cu-based shape memory alloy for thermostatic actuator device

V. DOBREA1, M. LOZOVAN1,* , S. STANCIU2

Affiliation

  1. National Institute of R & D for Technical Physics, 47 Mangeron Blvd., Iaşi, 700050, România
  2. “Gh. Asachi” Technical University, 59 Mangeron Blvd., Iaşi, 700050, România

Abstract

The functional characteristics (actuation force, movement) of an actuator based on a shape memory alloy (SMA) depend strongly on the specific properties (transition temperature, degree of shape recovery) of the used alloy in order to making the actuating element. Development of new SMA or improving of those becomes “classical” lead to the achievement of some more performant actuators based on SMA-s. The paper presents two polycrystalline alloys having shape memory effect (SME), belonging to the Cu-Al-Ni system, with compositional range between (12.2-13.5)% Al, (3.3-3.5)% Ni, balance Cu, modified by alloying with small quantities of Mn and Ti. The study of these alloys aims to carry out some thermal actuators designed to function in 20-80°C temperature range. The structure investigation of alloys was performed by optical methods, while mechanical characterization was performed by tensile tests. Direct and reverse martensitic transition temperatures were evidenced by thermal analysis: electrical resistivity dependence on temperature, and dilatometrical analyse in 20-200°C temperature range. The obtained results show that small Mn and Ti additions inserted in the composition of studied SMA lead to improving the alloy’s structure and to an important modification of the critical temperatures to the functional thermal domain of proposed actuator.

Keywords

Shape memory alloy, Cu-Al-Ni, Martensite, Critical temperature, Thermal analysis.

Citation

V. DOBREA, M. LOZOVAN, S. STANCIU, Cu-based shape memory alloy for thermostatic actuator device, Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials - Rapid Communications, 3, 9, September 2009, pp.964-968 (2009).

Submitted at: July 1, 2009

Accepted at: Sept. 15, 2009