Abstract
In the paper an explanation of paradoxical decreasing of shape memory effect with increasing volume fraction of martensite in set of samples of the same alloy quenched from various temperatures of equilibrium α/β field is proposed. The explanation is based on synergic effect of decreasing order degree of martensite, decreasing of stacking fault energy and decreasing of microhardness of α-phase with increasing of quenching temperature. The decrease of the order degree stated in previous work was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

Key words
shape memory effect, α/β microstructure, Cu-Zn-Al, martensite

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