Variation in Mechanical Properties Due to The Effect of Electric Potential

摘要

Metal microhardness as a function of electric potential was investigated experimentally for the test samples of aluminum, zirconium and siliceous iron. The effects of electric potential proper and of contact potential difference, which are due to metals having different electron densities, are compared in terms of variation in metal microhardness. Two sets of microhardness data obtained for the test samples are analyzed. Both effects are found to cause a significant enhancement in metal microhardness (up to 20%); therefore, in a qualitative sense, these effects are considered equivalent.