This study reports the fabrication of submicron spherical particles of copper-aliminum-nickel (CuAlNi) shape memory alloy (SMA) using pulsed laser melting in liquid (PLML). While SMAs show reversible martensitic transformation, this effect is not typically observed in nanoparticles. To retain shape memory properties, CuAlNi particles with diameters smaller than 1 μm were synthesized. The parent alloy was ground and dispersed in absolute ethanol, then irradiated with a non-focused pulsed laser. The resulting particles were analyzed by FE-SEM, EDS, and STEM. SAED patterns revealed the coexistence of the parent β₁ phase with DO₃ structure and the martensitic 18R phase, indicating preservation of shape memory-related crystal phases. XRD results supported this identification. The process proved efficient in producing oxidation-suppressed structurally functional particles. These findings suggest that the particles are suitable for additive manufacturing of microscale devices.
HONDA et al. (Wed,) studied this question.