The mechanical behavior of 5052-H32 aluminum alloys under a pulsed electric current

The electroplasticity of an aluminum 5052-H32 alloy under a pulsed electric current is investigated experimentally. A pulsed electric current is applied to a specimen simultaneously with a quasi-static uniaxial tensile load. The experimental result shows a ratchet shape stress–strain curve under a pulsed electric current. The formability of the selected aluminum alloy is significantly improved at near room temperature depending on the electric pulse parameters. An empirical expression to describe the upper boundary of the ratchet shape stress–strain curve of the aluminum alloy under a pulsed electric current is suggested. Two electroplastic coefficients are used in the suggested empirical expression: one is a material constant and the other accounts for the effects of the electric energy density and the electric pulse period. The result of the present study is expected to provide a basis to develop sheet metal forming processes using electroplasticity.