The effect of the processing parameters on the martensitic transformation of Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloy

Highlights: • Cu-Al-Mn SMA by continuous casting and melt-spinner was successfully produced. • Heat-treatment of Cu-Al-Mn SMA results in formation of intensive martensite. • γ' martensite is formed by melt-spinner, β' by continuous casting (Cu₃Al, Cu₂AlMn). • Heat-treatment increases M_s of continuously cast SMA, and decreases in ribbon. • Cu-Al-Mn ribbon has the lowest energy of activation of martensitic transformation. The influence of processing, heat-treatment and aging of Cu-(8–9) wt% Al-(7–10) wt% Mn alloy on the kinetics and temperatures of martensitic transformation was investigated by calorimetric measurements. Cu-Al-Mn alloy was prepared by continuous casting, melt-spinner and by melting in the electric arc furnace. Alloys were further heat-treated at 900 °C for 30 min and quenched in water, as well as aged at 300 °C for 1 h. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was performed at 3 heating/cooling cycles from −50 to 250 °C. Non-isothermal measurements were determined at five different heating/cooling rates: 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C/min. Activation energy was obtained according to Ozawa and Kissinger kinetic models. Microstructure analysis of investigated systems was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicate the most intensive formation of martensitic structure in the as-cast state during continuous casting, where the partially formation of needle-like and V-shape martensite was observed. After solution treatment and quenching as well as aging, completely martensitic phase occurred in continuously cast alloy. XRD analysis detected Cu₂AlMn, Cu₃Al and Al₄Cu₉ phases in quenched specimens of continuously cast Cu-Al-Mn alloy and ribbon. The highest impact of the solution treatment and aging on the shifting of the martensitic temperatures was observed for Cu-Al-Mn ribbons, while in continuously cast Cu-Al-Mn alloy heat treatment and aging induced formation of different martensitic crystal structures. Kinetic investigations showed increasing start martensitic temperatures, M_s, and wider temperature interval of martensitic transformation with higher cooling rate. The highest values of activation energy of martensitic transformation was obtained for the continuously cast Cu-Al-Mn alloy.