The perturbation method is used to study the localization of electric field distribution and the effective nonlinear response of graded composites under an external alternating-current(AC) and direct-current(DC) electric field E app = E 0(1 + sin ωt).The dielectric profile of the cylindrical inclusions is modeled by function ε i(r) = C k r k(r ≤ a),where r is the radius of the cylindrical inclusion,and C k,k,a are parameters.In the dilute limit,the local potentials and the effective nonlinear responses at all harmonics are derived.Meanwhile,the general effective nonlinear responses are also derived and compared with the effective nonlinear responses at harmonics under the AC and DC external field.It is found that the effective nonlinear AC and DC responses at harmonics can be calculated by those of the general effective nonlinear of the graded composites under the external DC electric field.Moreover,the obtained local electrical fields show that the electrical field distribution in the cylindrical inclusions is controllable,and the maximum of the electric field inside the cylinder is at its center.