The inhibition of γ′ martensite in β ↔ β′ + γ′ cycling in Cu–Al–Ni single crystals

The successive stress or temperature induced martensitic transformations of the mixed β ↔ β′ + γ′ type in Cu–Al–Ni single crystals, cause progressive inhibition of γ′ martensite as the number of cycles increases. The interaction between dislocations generated during cycling and the twinned structure of the γ′ martensite could be the key for understanding the origin of the inhibition effect. A first approach concerning the generation of stacking faults is introduced in this paper.