Work

Listen! it's a phase transition. The sound of a shape memory alloy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Shape memory alloys exhibit a solid-to-solid phase transition that involves a temperature-driven rearrangement of their crystal structure and is responsible for their remarkable properties and numerous technological applications. Here, we propose a simple experiment that analyzes the sound emitted by a Ni40Ti50Cu10 bar at different temperatures as it undergoes a transition between its austenite and martensite phases. We show that the phase transition, which occurs slightly above room temperature, can be qualitatively detected by the ear and quantitatively described using a very simple experimental setup and sound analysis tools. Such a sound-based investigation provides an unusual and engaging way to experimentally introduce solid-to-solid phase transitions, that is suitable for undergraduate courses.

Source: American Journal of Physics

DOI: 10.1119/5.0217522

Authors: Carlo Andrea Rozzi, Annamaria Lisotti, Guido Goldoni, Valentina De Renzi

Institutions: Istituto Nanoscienze, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Language: English

Topic: Shape Memory Alloy Transformations

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Università Degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emila, Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca

Awards: G1739345972, G237920087