Abstract: Zr-Cu binary and Zr-Cu-Al ternary alloys with different compositions were fabricated using arc melting. The phase structure and martensitic transformation temperatures of the alloys were investigated using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. It was found that the ZrCu martensitic phase was formed as an intermetallic compound in the near-equiatomic Zr-Cu binary alloy. On the other hand, both the ZrCu martensitic and parent phases were formed in the Zr-Cu-Al ternary alloy. In addition, it was confirmed that the martensitic transformation temperature of ZrCu decreased with addition of Al to the base alloy. Therefore, it was found that addition of Al to the equiatomic Zr-Cu alloy can effectively control the microstructure and martensitic transformation temperature.
 
Key words: Shape memory alloy, ZrCu, martensitic transformation, phase structure, alloy composition. 

Cite: Hitoo Tokunaga, "Effect of Alloy Composition on Microstructure and Martensitic Transformation Temperature of a Zr-Cu Shape Memory Alloy," International Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 93-98, December 2018. doi: 10.17706/ijmse.2018.6.4.93-98