Influence mechanism of electroplasticity effect on plastic deformation during electrical-assisted cutting nickel-based superalloys

In this study, the effect of current density on stresses and dislocations during electrical-assisted cutting nickel-based superalloys has been investigated by using molecular dynamics simulations combined with the Joule heat effect of heat transfer in nanoscale and the electron wind effect in nanoscale. The changes of dislocation multiplication, dislocation movement and dislocation entanglement in the deformation zone of the material during the cutting process at different current densities were analyzed to determine the effect of electroplastic effect on the plastic deformation of the material. The results show that the average stress and dislocation density related to plastic deformation are significantly reduced under the action of current. The applied current leads to a significant temperature rise of the workpiece and reduces the work hardening behavior during the deformation of the material. The stress and current density inside the workpiece decrease with the increase of current density. In the case of maximum current density, the internal stress and current density of the workpiece change significantly. Compared with ordinary cutting, the maximum peak value of stress is reduced by 16 %, and the maximum peak value of dislocation density is reduced by 30 %. With the increase of current density, the peak of the maximum dislocation density of the material is advanced. The electron wind effect promotes dislocation slip, and the applied current significantly enhances the plasticity of the workpiece.