Variability in Mechanical Properties and Microstructure Characterization of CuAlBe Shape Memory Alloy for Vibration Mitigation

Shape memory alloys (SMA) have been emphasized, studied and understood in the controlled world
of the laboratory. Any attempt to implement one of these alloys in engineered products requires a jump from the
controlled world of the laboratory to the actual environment of the application. The first step is to move from
single grain specimens to multigrain samples. One works with a material for which any stock is different from that
previously available. This paper reviews the milestones in the familiarization process the authors had to overcome
during their cooperation within a project funded by the European Union. The main items cover transformation
temperatures, thermal treatment and properties understanding.