Microstructural Evolution of Cu-Al-Ni Shape Memory Alloys Fabricated by Powder Injection Molding

Abstract

In this study, powder injection molding method was employed to produce Cu-12Al-4Ni (wt%) shape memory alloys, and the microstructural evolution of the samples was studied. The binder system used in this investigation included paraffin wax (65 wt%), high density polyethylene (30 wt%) and stearic acid (5 wt%). Feedstocks containing 63 and 64 vol% powder mixtures were produced with the selected mixing parameters, then their rheological behavior was studied. After producing the green parts using the certain injection parameters, they were subjected to debinding and sintering processes to produce the final parts. Finally, the sintered parts were characterized for their microstructure by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).