Development of empirical correlations for assessing the CuAlMn based shape memory alloy thermal switch phase transition temperatures

This paper presents the empirical correlations to predict the phase transition temperatures of CuAlMn based shape memory alloy thermal/heat switches. The correlations can precisely predict the start and finish phase transition temperatures of austenite and martensite lattice structures within the error range of +/- 18% at different Cu/Al and Cu/Mn compositions in CuAlMn shape memory alloy. Moreover, for the first time, contours on the effect of Cu/Al ratio on phase transition temperatures are analyzed in detail. It has been found that 'Mn' compassions in CuAlMn alloy play a critical role, and should be at the higher end of composition to achieve low-temperature actuation (<123 K), enhanced switching ratio, and overall performance improvement in shape memory alloy-based heat switches. The precise performance prediction of CuAlMn based shape memory alloy will be helpful in the design of effective mechanical heat switches for low-temperature space applications.

Automated summary

This paper presents empirical correlations to predict the phase transition temperatures of CuAlMn shape memory alloy and analyzes the effects of Cu/Al ratio on these temperatures. It is found that the proportion of "Mn" in CuAlMn alloy plays a crucial role in achieving low-temperature actuation, enhanced switching ratio, and overall performance improvement. These findings are important for the design of mechanical heat switches for low-temperature space applications.