Superconductivity in Ti67Zr19Nb11.5Sn2.5 shape memory alloy

Abstract

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit unique functionalities due to their superelastic and shape memory properties. The ability to program and alter their shapes following a thermomechanical stimulus makes them highly important materials for a vast number of applications in the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and robotic sectors. Research on SMAs has largely focused on metallurgical, mechanical, structural, or phase transformation properties. Here, we investigate the electrical, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties of the biocompatible SMA, Ti 67 Zr 19 Nb 11.5 Sn 2.5 (at. %). In particular, we report the discovery of a superconducting phase transition with a critical temperature of 4.65 K with 0 K critical magnetic fields of H c1 = 13.7 mT and H c2 = 9.2 T. From the temperature dependence of the specific heat and local magnetic field measurements using transverse field muon spin rotation, we also determine a superconducting coherence of 6 nm and a London penetration depth of 776 nm. The results are key towards the development of cryogenic electrical device applications of SMA materials.

Effect of Heat Treatments on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fe-Mn-Ni-Al-Gd Shape Memory Alloy

“…Traditional alloying methods based on single principle elements in materials science are progressing towards unconventional multi-principle elements alloying (MPEAs) approaches during the last two decades. Many electronic [1], magnetic [2], mechanical [3], and electrochemical functionalities [4] have emerged from this new group of materials [5][6] [7]. These alloys gain more popularity due to properties like high cryogenic strength, shape memory and superelasticity, high fracture toughness, and ductility, etc.…”

“…These alloys gain more popularity due to properties like high cryogenic strength, shape memory and superelasticity, high fracture toughness, and ductility, etc. Many shape memory alloy (SMA) systems, such as Ni-Ti, Ni-Mn-Ga, Cu-Al-Ni, and Ni-Co-Mn-In alloys, [8][9] [1,3,10] [11] have been explored since Au-Cd alloys' shape memory behavior was discovered.…”