MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SME ALLOYS.

Abstract

The mechanical properties of SME alloys are reviewed. The conventional pseudoelastic and strain-memory effects are discussed with some recent observations on the effect of strain rate and grain size. A full description is given of the stress-induced transformations in the Cu Al Ni system at various temperatures above and below Ms. The reversible strain-memory effect is reviewed. This is the reversible dimensional change in a specimen cycled through the martensite transition temperature range. The fatigue properties of pseudoelastic metals are discussed in detail with some recent observations in single crystals and polycrystals being presented. The damping capacity of these alloys is briefly mentioned.