Thermodynamics of crack healing under electropulsing

The effect of electropulsing on the evolution of an elliptical cylinder microcrack was studied from a thermodynamic point of view. An analytical expression for the healing driving force with respect to the passing electric current density, crack geometric shape, Young's modulus, and sample size was derived. The critical current density for crack healing was calculated and agreed with the experimental results very well. The heterogeneous temperature rise due to Joule heat was calculated and proved ideal to the crack healing. Earlier experimental results can be fully understood within the present theoretical frame.