Microscratching in electrochemical cells: the effect of gallium on surfacedeformation in aluminum

The microscratching method has been combined with the electrochemical reduc tion of an active component at the tested surface for studying initial surf ace damages in metals and effects caused by active media. This allows the m odeling of the active liquid metal influence in the absence of the liquid m etal phase, at room temperature. Surface plasticizing of aluminum caused by gallium ions reduction has been observed and discussed in terms of microsc opic (dislocation) and macroscopic (finite elements) approaches. (C) 1998 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.