Influence of DC electric current on maximal conductivity and aging rate of thermally aged Cu-0.86Cr alloy was investigated

and effects of the alloy traditionally aged without DC current were analyzed comparatively. In contrast with traditional condition

the maximal conductivity of the alloy aged with DC current is increased to 48.23 MS/m from 47.92 MS/m

meanwhile

DC electric current can enhance aging rate of the alloy

where the conductivity ratio of the alloy aged for 6h with and without current reaches its maximal conductivity of 98% and 94%

respectively. One reason of enhancing the precipitation can be attributed to the Joule heating due to self-electric resistance

on the other hand

electron wind force exerted by drift electron can promote the mobility of excess vacancies and dislocation

mass dislocation and clusters and pairs of vacancy

which offers the nucleation sites for the precipitation of solute atoms.