Applicability of LPBF for producing Cu-11Al-5Ni-4Fe wt.% with shape memory properties

Abstract

The Cu-11Al-5Ni-4Fe wt% alloy was consolidated by additive manufacturing (AM) to determine the method applicability for producing shape memory alloy. The alloy was researched through compressive stress in three conditions: commercial (COM) (cast), as-built (AB), and AB heat treated (quenched). The results demonstrated that the AB sample acquired a reasonable superelasticity (SE) at room temperature (similar to 4%), which was improved to 6% after quenching. The COM sample damping capacity was better at high temperatures (350 degrees C) due to slip system activation at low stress (near 600 MPa), which resulted in a higher deformation energy dissipation. Due to the residual stress and null slip activation, the AB samples showed low damping capacity and low permanent strain at any temperature; however, they showed greater degree of SE. The AM technique of laser powder bed fabrication is concluded to be a viable option for producing printed parts with SE and damping properties.