Effect of electric current pulses on solidification of immiscible alloys

The effect of electric current pulses (ECPs) on the solidification of immiscible alloys is investigated. The results demonstrate that ECPs mainly affect the microstructure formation through changing the nucleation behaviors of the precipitated phase droplets (PPDs). When the PPDs have a higher electrical conductivity compared to the matrix, ECPs enhance the nucleation rate and promote the formation of a well-dispersed microstructure. Otherwise, ECPs cause a decrease in the nucleation rate and promote the formation of a phase segregated microstructure.