Shape memory behaviour of Cu–Al wires produced by horizontal in-rotating-liquid-spinning

Rapidly quenched Cu–Al-based thin wires of approximately 100 μm in diameter produced by in-rotating-liquid-spinning process (INROLISP) exhibit shape memory behaviour. In contrast to the production mode used for preparing thin Cu–Al wires showing the shape memory effect described in recent publications, a horizontal arrangement of the INROLISP process was used for the fabrication on a laboratory scale. The effects of the process parameters on the quality of the thin wires have been studied. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to investigate the influence of rapid solidification on the grain size. In order to characterize the shape memory behaviour, the characteristic transformation temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and tensile tests. In performing these measurements, the INROLISP process parameters like melt jet velocity (Reynolds’ number), flow velocity of the coolant, melt superheating and alloy compositions were taken into account.