Composites with ultra high damping capacity based on powder metallurgy shape memory alloys

New high-damping metal matrix composites have been developed, by embedding powders of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys with two different metallic matrices (In–10 wt.%Sn and In–Sn eutectic alloys). The damping properties have been characterized using a sub-resonant torsion pendulum. High damping values were obtained in a wide range of temperature. In the present work, the influence of the matrix and the shape memory alloy particles, on the damping properties of the composites, is studied and discussed. A synergetic effect from both contributions, matrix and particles, was observed.