Laser-Assisted Synthesis of Cu-Al-Ni Shape Memory Alloys: Effect of Inert Gas Pressure and Ni Content.

The paper explores the applicability of laser-assisted synthesis for producing high density Cu-Al-Ni alloys with shape memory characteristics, that could be further developed towards a method of additive manufacturing of large size Cu-based shape memory alloys (SMA). The manufacturing approach consists in laser melting of elemental powder mixture in a controlled atmosphere of varying relative pressure of protective argon gas, producing alloys of 14.2 wt.