Polycrystalline copper-based shape memory alloys have been of particular interest in
relation to Ni-Ti because of their low cost and good shape memory effect. Nevertheless the absence
of a pronounced pseudoelasticity effect restricts the number of potential applications. In this work,
the influence of Nb and V on the microstructure and the mechanical properties was investigated.
Samples of Cu-13.8 Al-Ni containing V and Nb alloy were prepared by induction and solution
treated at 850°C and then further quenched into cold water. The addition of Nb and V promotes the
formation of precipitates which act as grain refiner and subsequently improve the mechanical
properties. The tensile tests were performed at temperatures slightly inferior to Mf and superior to
Af, to investigate the shape recovery and pseudoelasticity, respectively. Based on the analyses of the
Cu-13,8Al-2Ni-1Nb (wt%) alloy was detected rupture strains greater than 14%, besides
observation of the superelasticity of these alloys and quantification of this property by means of
cycling, from 0 to strains between 1 and 7%. The studies performed on alloy Cu-13.8Al- 3,5Ni-1V
(wt%) made it possible to determine rupture strains in the order of 3% and its superelastic behavior
through cycling for deformations between 1 and 3%.
4D printing of shape memory polybutylene succinate/polylactic acid (PBS/PLA) and its potential applications
