US4416706A
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US
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Process to produce and stabilize a reversible two-way shape memory effect in a Cu-Al-Ni or a Cu-Al alloy
Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri AG Switzerland
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Filing: 1982-07-29
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Granted: 1983-11-22
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Expires: 2002-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Process to produce a reversible two-way shape memory effect in Cu-Al-Ni and Cu-Al memory alloys by heat treating said alloy while applying an external lead (G) after the martensite formation accomplished by the conventional steps: solution treatment, quench (1,2) and deformation (3). Additional improvements by optional Martensite Stabilization (10) and Two-way Effect Zero-point Stabilization (12) in the form of further heat treatments.
Inventors
- 👤 Joachim Albrecht
- 👤 Thomas Duerig
- 👤 Olivier Mercier
- 👤 Walter Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:20
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A process of producing and stabilizing a reversible two-way shape memory effect in a Cu-Al-Ni or a Cu-Al alloy, which comprises: (1) solution treating a cast or powder metallurgically produced alloy in the temperature range of the β-solid solution; (2) quenching the solution treated alloy in water; (3) deforming said quenched alloy at a temperature below 300° C.; and (4) subjecting said deformed alloy to a shape stabilization treatment comprising: (i) heat treating said deformed alloy at a temperature in the range between 150°-425° C. for 0.5 to 180 minutes concomitantly with an externally applied load, thereby producing a tensile, compressive or torsional strain on the alloy of at least 1.0%; (ii) cooling the heat treated alloy; and (iii) releasing the cooled alloy from its externally applied load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A process of producing and stabilizing a reversible two-way shape memory effect in a Cu-Al-Ni or a Cu-Al alloy, which comprises: (1) solution treating a cast or powder metallurgically produced alloy in the temperature range of the β-solid solution; (2) quenching the solution treated alloy in water; (3) deforming said quenched alloy at a temperature below 300° C.; and (4) subjecting said deformed alloy to a shape stabilization treatment comprising: (i) heat treating said deformed alloy at a temperature in the range between 150°-425° C. for 0.5 to 180 minutes concomitantly with an externally applied load, thereby producing a tensile, compressive or torsional strain on the alloy of at least 1.0%; (ii) cooling the heat treated alloy; and (iii) releasing the cooled alloy from its externally applied load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 1, which further comprises subjecting said shape utilized alloy to a Martensite stabilization treatment comprising: heat treating said alloy within the temperature range of 200°-400° C. for 1 minute to 4 hours; and allowing said heated alloy to slowly cool to room temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the Martensite stabilized alloy is stabilized at the zero position of the two-way shape memory effect by a treatment comprising subjecting the stabilized alloy to a temperature which is the same temperature as the maximum expected service temperature for at least 1 minute; and then slowly cooling the heated alloy to room temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4019925A
Cited
SU606894A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-21 | 1987-05-23 | 1987-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-21 | 1991-05-23 | 1991-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-05-23 | 1995-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |