Superelastic behavior and fracture of a Cu-11.8%wAl-0.5%wBe alloy as used in seismic energy dispersors

Some results are shown of the characterization of the super elastic behavior and fracturing of a polycrystalline alloy Cu-11.8%wAl-0.5%wBe. It was submitted to monotonic traction and cyclic (at 1 Hz) tests. The alloy was provided by Trefim aux, in the form of 3 and 6 mm diameter wires. This work aims to present a preliminary mechanical definition of this alloy, with a view to its eventual use in seismic energy absorption devices in civil constructions. Similar behavior trends were found for the two diameters, although some differences were detected in the values of the measured properties. The material is super elastic within a deformation range of 2.3% for the 3mm wire and 3.1% for the 6 mm wire. Increasing the grain size increased the material's super elastic range. When the maximum applied deformation was increased, the temperature of the test pieces went up and a change occurred in the form of the cycles, increasing the absorption (with values of 5% in the super elastic limit) and decreasing the K parameter and the rigidity of the cycles. With the monotonic traction tests, the material presents a transgranular fracture from a mixed mechanism of cleavage and micropores, elongating the larger fracture by 15% and a maximum force (UTS) greater than 5000 kg cm2 (CW)