Damping performance of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloys in engineering structures

Abstract

The stress strain curves of two CuZnAl shape memory alloys which have the martensitic transformation temperatures of 50 °C and −10 °C respectively, were measured by using electronic material tester after treated by different heat-treatment conditions. The results show that the area enclosed by hysteresis loop of the CuZnAl shape memory alloy in martensitic state is much larger than that of the alloy in austenitic state with super-elasticity at room temperature. Therefore, the former has better vibration attenuation effect. After being oil-quenched, water-quenched, and step-quenched, the CuZnAl alloy takes on more stable shape memory effect, better super-plasticity and superelasticity (pseudoelasticity). A CuZnAl shape memory alloy damper was designed, produced and installed to a 2-layer frame structure. In addition, the vibration experiments were made by dynamic data collecting analysis meter. The velocity of vibration attenuation of frame structure with CuZnAl shape memory alloy damper is much faster than that without it. And with the help of CuZnAl shape memory alloy damper, the attenuation period reduces to 1/10 of the original.

Keywords

CuZnAl shape memory alloy / heat treatment / hysteretic property / structure damping

References

[1] WuBo, SunKe-xue, LiHui, et al.. Experimental research on mechanical properties of shape memory alloy [J]. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration, 1999, 19(2): 104-111(in Chinese)

[2] LiHui, MaoChen-xi. Experimental investigation of earthquake response reduction of buildings with added two types of SMA passive energy dissipation devices [J]. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration, 2003, 23(1): 133-139(in Chinese)

[3] Higashino M, Aizawa A, Clark P W, et al. Experimental and analytical studies of structural control system using shape memory alloy [A]. Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Structural Controls [C]. Hong Kong, 1996.

[4] GraesserE J, CozzarelliF A. Shape memory alloys as new materials for aseismic isolation [J]. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 1991, 117(1): 2 590-2 608

[5] Witting P R, Cozzarelli F A. Shape memory structural dampers: material properties, design and seismic testing[R]. Technical Report NCCER-92-0013, 1992.

[6] SiNai-chao. CuZnAl shape memory alloy refined with composite rare earths La + Ce [J]. Journal of Rare Earths, 1999, 17(4): 275-279

[7] SiNai-chao, JiaZhi-hong, SunShao-chun. Researches on Martensitic Stability of CuZnAl (RE) Shape Memory Alloys [J]. Journal of the Chinese Rare Earths Society, 2002, 20(s): 141-144(in Chinese)

[8] SiNai-chao, ZhaoGuo-qi, YangDao-qing. Effects of rare earth mixture on mechanical properties of CuZnAl shape memory alloys [J]. The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 2003, 13(2): 393-398(in Chinese)

[9] SiNai-chao. Study on martensitic stabilization in CuZnAl(RE) shape memory alloys [J]. Chinese Journal of Materials Research, 1999, 13(5): 558-561(in Chinese)

[10] XuZu-yaoShape Memory Material [M], 2002, Shanghai, Shanghai Jiaotong University Press(in Chinese)

[11] WuBo, SunKe-xue, LiHui, et al.. Effect of heat treatment on superelastic hysteretic properties of shape memory alloy [J]. Journal of Vibration Engineering, 2000, 13(3): 449-454(in Chinese)

[12] HanYu-lin, LiAi-qun, LinPing-hua, et al.. Experimental study of frame structure vibration control by using shape memory alloy damper [J]. Journal of Southeast University, 2000, 30(4): 16-20(in Chinese)