Thermo-mechanical behavior at nano-scale and size effects in shape memory alloys

Jose San Juan*, Maria L. Nó, Christopher A. Schuh

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) undergo reversible martensitic transformation in response to changes in temperature or applied stress, exhibiting specific properties of superelasticity and shape memory. At present there is a high scientific and technological interest to develop these properties at small scale, to apply SMA as sensors and actuators in MEMS technologies. In order to study the thermo-mechanical properties of SMA at micro and nano scale, instrumented nano indentation is being widely used for nano compression tests. By using this technique, superelasticity and shape memory at the nano-scale has been demonstrated in micro and nano pillars of Cu-Al-Ni SMA. However the martensitic transformation seems to exhibit a different behavior at small scale than in bulk materials and a size effect on superelasticity has been recently reported. In the present work we will overview the thermo-mechanical properties of Cu-Al-Ni SMA at the nano-scale, with special emphasis on size effects. Finally, the above commented size effects will be discussed on the light of the microscopic mechanisms controlling the martensitic transformation at nano scale.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDeformation Mechanisms, Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Nanoscale Materials
Pages83-94
Number of pages12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event2010 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Nov 29 2010Dec 3 2010

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1297
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2010 MRS Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period11/29/1012/3/10

Funding

This work was supported by the Spanish MICINN project MAT2009-12492 and the CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 CSD2009-00013, by the Consolidated Research Group IT-10-310 from the Education Department and by the project ETORTEK ACTIMAT-08 from the Industry Department of the Basque Government. CS acknowledges support from the U.S. Army Research Office through the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at MIT. This work made use of the CNS from Harvard University with the support of the NNIN.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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