Influence of electropulsing on nucleation during phase transformation

Phase transformation about precipitation in a Cu–Zn alloy was studied. It was found that with an electropulsing treatment the number of nuclei during phase transformation could be dramatically enhanced and nucleation of precipitates was more homogeneous. The phenomena did not result from the effect of rapid heating or rapid cooling during electropulsing but resulted from the electric current itself. The results were in good agreement with the theoretical model that electric current can increase nucleation by decreasing the thermodynamic barrier during phase transformation.