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 microstructure of Al–Li alloy containing Ce is investigated. The ductility of the alloy is improved, but the strength has no change under the effect of an electric field (electric field treatment). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and TEM results show that the fracture mode is changed by the applied electric field; the subgrains become larger with the increase of the strength of the electric field, the volume fraction of δ′ phase increases and its distribution 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 electric field is discussed.