The investigation of alterations on physical parameters of Cu- based shape memory alloys irradiated by Co- 60

Shape memory alloys, also known as smart materials, are metallic materials that have the ability to return to their original size and shape when subjected to appropriate mechanical and/or heat treatment. The main characteristic features of shape memory alloys are that they can have two different crystal structures and shapes above and below a critical transformation temperature, which varies depending on the proportions of the elements entering the alloy. Most of the research concerns NiTi (nitional) and Cu-based shape memory alloys, which cover a large part of the shape memory alloys market. Shape memory alloys are a unique class of smart metallic materials that have the unique property of regaining a predefined shape by appropriate thermal or mechanical treatment. Different heat treatments and stresses applied to shape memory alloys cause partially arranged structures in these alloys. In this study, CuAlBe and CuAlNi shape memory alloys with different percentages (wt%) were used. Gamma radiation doses of 40 kGy and 50 kGy were applied to the alloy samples. The effects of radiation dose on CuAlNi and CuAlBe shape memory alloy samples were investigated. The effects on thermodynamic parameters were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Microstructure examinations were made by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscope observations. The microhardness measurements of alloy samples unirradiated and irradiated with 40 kGy and 50 kGy gamma radiation doses were compared. It was observed that gamma radiation was effective on the structural parameters such as microhardness, grain size, crystal size, as well as transformation temperatures, and other thermodynamic parameters of CuAlBe and CuAlNi shape memory alloy samples