Abstract
This paper deals with the two-way shape memory (TWSM) behavior of a Cu-27.4Zn-3.72Al (wt%) shape memory alloy (SMA) under constraint aging treatment. The strip-shaped specimens displayed a parent phase structure at room temperature after casting and they were solid-solution treated at 850 °C for 10 min followed by either directly quenching (DQ) into room-temperature water, or upper quenching (UQ) into a 100 °C boiling water bath. TWSM effects were observed in constrained specimens which were held between a pair of conjugated stainless steel rings and aged at four different conditions: one aged above Af, one aged below Mf, one firstly aged above Af then aged below Mf, and one with the reverse order. The amounts of shape recovery associated with TWSM and with thermal cycling were measured and compared for such constraint aged specimens.