Effect of Electric Current on the Inclusions in a Cu-Zn Alloy

Abstract

The effect of electric current pulse (ECP) treatment on lead inclusions in a Cu-Zn alloy was studied in present work. It was found that with the application of a critical high current density, the coarse and random distributed lead inclusions transferred into grain boundaries or defects in dispersed small particles. The reason was ascribed to the specific electric effect of electric current on the grain refinement and the reduction of the diffusive activation energy of lead inclusions. Therefore, the high current density ECP treatment might be an effective method to refine inclusions of bulk materials.