Characteristics of Cu–Al–Mn-based shape memory alloys and their applications

Recent progress on ductile Cu–Al–Mn-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) is presented. The various properties of superelasticity (SE), the shape memory effect (SME), the two-way memory effect (TWME) and internal friction are enhanced by controlling grain size and texture through thermomechanical treatments. It is also shown that the control of stress-induced martensitic transformation due to cold-rolling of Cu–Al–Mn SMAs results in low thermal expansion (LTE). In addition, the medical application of the Cu–Al–Mn-based SMAs to guidewire is introduced.