Abstract
Abstract Elucidating the mechanism of electroplasticity is essential for the widespread application of electrically assisted forming technology to hard-to-deform metallic components. In this study, a two-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) model incorporating the electroplastic effect is developed by introducing non-uniform temperature fields induced by Joule heating. The effects of Joule heating and the electron wind on dislocation nucleation, glide, and thermal activation escape are systematically quantified from both thermal and energetic perspectives. Dislocation evolution in titanium alloy single crystals subjected to electric current during uniaxial tensile deformation is investigated across both high and low strain rate regimes using this electroplastic-DDD framework. The results show that the non-uniform temperature fields modify the dislocation source strength and drag coefficient, thereby influencing dislocation nucleation and glide. Furthermore, the additional Joule heating energy E Joule and electron wind energy E wind supplied to dislocations reduce the energy barrier for thermal activation escape, promoting dislocation depinning. It is demonstrated that the contribution of E wind is approximately seven orders of magnitude smaller than that of E Joule , with Joule heating identified as the dominant mechanism governing the electroplastic response in titanium alloys.