Correlation between plasticity and dislocation dissociation in ceramics

Abstract

The influence of dislocation core extension on plastic properties is discussed. Dislocation dissociation has been studied in ceramics. Such investigation has been carried out for the past decades, but in spite of new results, there are still pending questions. Here, we review cases of glide and climb dissociation. The former has been found in 4H-SiC with implications not only on the plasticity but also on the crystal structure changes. The latter has been found in several oxides (sapphire, spinel, strontium titanate, etc.). It is, sometimes, associated with a maximum in the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) dependence on temperature. We discuss the reasons for such effects, emphasising factors that can reduce the mobility of dislocations to justify why dissociation can influence plasticity and, sometimes, has negligible effects.