Pseudoelastic behavior in Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_y compounds

Abstract

Tensile tests show that ferroelastic loops always occur at 100–150 K, 200–250 K and room temperature in the Y_1−xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_y samples withx=0 and 0.1 for whichT _c is 92 K and 82.5 K respectively, and the shape memory effect is always observed in the compact sample near 130 K, just similar to that of thermal elastic martensitic alloys. The loss fraction (ΔW/W) which is proportional to the area of ferroelastic loop as a function of temperature shows that there always exist static hysteresis (ΔW/W) peaks at 130 K and 110 K which are attributed to the phaselike transition (PLT) characterized by the jump of lattice parameters. No ferroelastic loops and shape memory effect are observed in the range of 100 K to 150 K for the lowerT _c samples withx=0.3, 0.4 and 0.6.