Atypical Hardening Caused by Current and Plastic Deformation

Abstract

Based on literary and experimental data, the effects accompanying the passage of pulsed current and associated structural changes in metals and alloys have been considered briefly. The special role of the type and modes of current, as well as the nature of the material, has been shown. The results of studies of the interaction of electric current and plastic deformation by quasi-static tension in pure metals, titanium alloys with martensitic transformation, and steels have been presented. It is assumed that the causes of the detected deformation effects are the ratio of the period and duration of the pulse, cycling of stress and temperature, changes in the deformation mechanism, reversible transformations, changes in grain size, and the appearance of particles of second phases. Variation of the duty cycle makes it possible to regulate the ratio of thermal and electroplastic effects and thereby influence the mechanisms of hardening/softening.