The effect of an electric field on the mechanical properties and microstructure of Al-Li alloy containing Ce

The influence of an electric field on the tensile properties and microstruc ture of Al-Li alloy containing Ce is investigated. The ductility of the all oy is improved, but the strength has no change under the effect of an elect ric field (electric field treatment). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) an d TEM results show that the fracture mode is changed by the applied electri c field; the subgrains become larger with the increase of the strength of t he electric field, the volume fraction of delta' phase increases and its di stribution is more random with an electric filed. The relation between the mechanical properties, and the microstructure of those alloys is analyzed. On the basis of experiment results, the mechanism of the effect of an elect ric field is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.