Kinetics of isothermal decomposition in polycristalline beta CuAlBe alloys

S. MONTECINOS; A. CUNIBERTI; M.L. CASTRO

INTERMETALLICS

Elsevier

Año: 2010 vol. 18 p. 36 - 41

0966-9795

The kinetics of the microstructural evolution of the metastable beta phase during isothermal aging in a Cu-22.60Al-3.26Be (at%) polycrystalline shape memory alloy has been studied by electrical resistivity measurements and microscopical examinations. With an isothermal treatment at around 820 K, the alloy rapidly decomposes into gamma2 phase with dendritic morphology, while between 670 K and 760 K the formation of alfa’ phase followed by the eutectoid decomposition is observed. A TTT diagram was estimated and the stability boundaries of the beta phase in the studied alloy were compared with those of other Cu-based shape memory alloys.