Direct current induced suppression of the Portevin–Le Chatelier serrated deformation in the aluminum-magnesium alloy 5056

The effect of direct current induced suppression of the Portevin–Le Chatelier serrated deformation in the aluminum-magnesium alloy 5056 has been revealed experimentally. This effect manifests itself as an increase in the critical plastic strain, which precedes the onset of serrations in the stress-strain curve, with an increase in the current density in the range from 15 to 60 A/mm$^2$. It has been shown that the observed effect is not related to the Joule heating of the entire specimen. Possible mechanisms of the phenomenon have been discussed.