Effect of electric current on the evolution of plastic strain near a crack tip

Abstract

The effect of direct current on the evolution of plastic strain near the tip of a crack in a crystal in tension is studied. The plastic strain near the crack tip in the loaded specimen is the result of motion of dislocations in the active slip planes of the crystal under the action of shear stresses caused by external loading and electric current. The Joule heat, Thomson effect, and “electron wind” (electroplastic effect) are taken into account in calculations. The plastic strain and stress distributions near the crack tip are determined at different moments of time for a given magnitude ofelectric current. The effect of the plastic zone on the stress‐intensity factor of the crack is studied. It is found that the plastic strain is affected largely by the Joule heat released upon passage of the electric current. A numerical analysis is performed for an α‐Fe crystal.