The Influence of γ-Irradiation on the Structure and Properties of the Cu-11.5 wt. % Al-4 wt. % Ni Shape Memory Alloys

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of 60Co-γ-irradiation on the structure and properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys. The phase transformation temperatures were evaluated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). It was found that the γ-irradiation had a complex influence on the phase transformation parameters of Cu-Al-Ni SMAs. However, the transformation temperatures were shifted and a new curve was obtained after exposure to different irradiation doses. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy and entropy tended to increase/decrease depending on the amount of the exposure. The structural properties of the exposed samples were studied by using optical microscopy and hardness measurements at room temperature. It was also found that the structural-properties of the Cu-Al-Ni SMAs were completely affected by the amount of the applied γ-irradiation dose.