Grain size effect on the thermal-induced martensitic transformation in polycrystalline Cu-based shape memory alloys

Abstract

In Cu-based SMA alloys, the grain size (d) effect on the martensitic transformation temperature was investigated for a wide range of d. Specimens were prepared by different heat treatments in order to create a range of grain sizes, from about 500 nm (ribbons and tapes obtained by rapid solidification techniques) up to 6 mm diameter single-crystals (grown by the Bridgman method). Information obtained from the literature was also included in the set of analyzed experimental data. The reduction of grain size shifts the forward transformation temperature downwards. These grain-size effects are observed in specimens with d below ∼ 100 μm, and become more pronounced for d below ∼ 20 μm. An empirical expression was obtained that describes the grain-size effect over the whole temperature range. The obtained curve differs considerably from the Hall-Petch behaviour reported in the literature by some other investigators.