Optimization of spark plasma sintering parameters for NiTiCu shape memory alloys

Nanostructured nickel titanium copper-shape memory alloys (NiTiCu-SMAs) were fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) by varying the significant process parameters. The NiTiCu elements with different particle size were consolidated in a temperature range of 700–900°C and pressure from 20 to 40 MPa with 5 min of soaking time. The sintered products were subjected to mechanical analysis such as density and microhardness. Genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) techniques were used with integrated artificial neural network (ANN) to optimize the SPS process parameters to obtain better mechanical characteristics. The results indicate that the density and microhardness can be enhanced by the reduction of particle size and increase in pressure and temperature. A maximum density of 6.21 g/cc and Vickers hardness of 766 Hv were obtained the optimal for process parameters of temperature, pressure, and particle size of ~ 800°C, ~ 26 MPa and ~ 6 µm, respectively, in case of NiTiCu nanostructured SMAs.