Evaluation of grain refiners influence on the mechanical properties in a CuAlBe shape memory alloy by ultrasonic and mechanical tensile testing

This work carried out a non-destructive evaluation of grain size influence on the mechanical properties of a CuAlBe shape memory alloy with and without grain refiners. Ultrasonic signal processing, considering only the longitudinal velocity, was used for the non-destructive evaluation. Therefore, the average modulus of elasticity values found for the CuAlBe shape memory alloy was 45.7 GPa and 57.3 GPa with and without grain refiners, respectively. The corresponding values obtained by conventional mechanical tensile testing were equal to 43.2 GPa and 52.6 GPa, respectively. Additionally the mechanical tensile testing verified that the addition of grain refiners increases the stress of the alloy but has a slight effect on the alloy's ductility. Thus, the modulus of elasticity and consequently the ultrasonic velocity, as well as the stress and strain values of CuAlBe alloy are fully dependent on its grain size. The ultrasonic analysis shows that this alloy is an excellent sound, vibration and mechanical wave absorber, presenting a high attenuation coefficient related to the wave scattering through the grains. In addition, the ultrasonic signal processing method used here confirms its main advantages of fastness and reliability. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.