Effects of dynamic electropulsing on microstructure and elongation of a Zn–Al alloy

The effects of the electropulsing on microstructural evolution and on the elongation of the ZA22 alloy were studied during tensile deformation. The microsturctural evolution was examined by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Uniaxial tensile test showed that with adequate electropulsing, the best elongation of the alloy was obtained at ambient temperature (28 °C) and a high deformation rate (2 mm/min), remained the instant tensile stress unchanged. The elongation increased by 437%, compared with that of the non-electropulsing treated alloy. The relationship between the elongation and the electropulsing is discussed from the point of view of dislocation dynamic and phase transformation.