TEM observation of oxidation of CuZnAlMnNi shape memory alloy

The atmospheric oxidation of a quenched CuZnAlMnNi alloy after ion-polishing was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that a lot of oxide grains with various sizes yield homogeneously on the surface of the alloy after exposure at room temperature for 90 d. The grains mainly form along the planes of stacking fault, meanwhile, they can also be observed at the stacking fault tetrahedrals or around the dislocation lines. The formation of the oxides gives rise to the reduction of the stacking faults, and even complete disappearance in some zones, which is partly responsible for the decrement of shape memory effect (SME) of the alloy quenched during long-term holding at room temperature.