Slip Transition and Dislocation Structures in Off-Stoichiometric NiAl Single Crystals

Compression tests have been performed on hard-oriented Ni-44A1 single crystals for several temperatures and strain levels. There is a slip transition from a<111> type slip to non-a<111> type slip which corresponds with the observation of yield points. Transmission electron microscopy studies provide evidence for decomposition of a<111> dislocations into a<101> and a<010> dislocations near the “knee” of the yield strength curve. The mechanism of this slip transition and the nature of the dislocation processes both below and above the “knee” are described.