Effect of High-Density Electric Current on the Microstructure and Fatigue Crack Initiation of Stainless Steel

Abstract

To investigate the effect of high-density electric current on the delay of fatigue crack initiation, the dislocation structures before and after the application of electric current were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Dislocation density was quantitatively characterized before and after the application of electric current to further understand the mechanics of the healing effect. Atomic force microscope results showed that the slips disappeared locally and the slip height decreased on the surface of the specimens. Furthermore, the delaying effect of the crack initiation due to the application of electric current was evaluated by the fatigue crack-initiation model in which the accumulation of the dislocation density was considered.