Influence of Contact Potential Difference and Electric Potential on the Microhardness of Metals

The effect of the electric potential on the microhardness of aluminum, zirconium, and ferrosilicon was studied experimentally. The effect of the proper electric potential applied to a sample is compared with the effect of the potential induced by the contact potential difference upon contact with metals with a different electron work function. These two types of electrical action are revealed to be qualitatively equivalent to each other. It is established that these effects can markedly (up to 15%) change the microhardness of the metals.