Alloy films of Cu-Zn, Au-Cd, In-Tl, and In-Cd were produced using electrolytic techniques and their shape memory properties were evaluated. Cyanide solutions were used for the Cu-Zn and Au-Cd deposits, but sulfate solutions were preferred for the indium alloys. The use of pulsed current was beneficial in giving dense and uniform deposits. The Cu-Zn and Au-Cd alloys did exhibit a degree of brittle behavior in the as-deposited condition. Simple bending tests were conducted and shape memory effects were confirmed on the Cu-Zn and indium alloys. The phases present were determined at different temperatures using X-ray diffraction. The results show that electrolysis appears to be a feasible means of producing certain shape memory thin films with potentially interesting properties. However, more extensive studies are needed to optimize the performance of the electrodeposited alloy films.
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