Magnetoplastic effect: Basic properties and physical mechanisms

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the main results of investigations into the magnetoplastic effect, which manifests itself in motion of dislocations in crystals exposed to magnetic fields. The dependences of the mean free path of dislocations on the induction and direction of the magnetic field, the magnetic treatment time, the temperature, and the type and concentration of impurities are studied for NaCl, LiF, CsI, Zn, Al, and InSb crystals. The threshold magnetic field B c below which the effect is absent, the saturation field B 0 above which the mean free paths of dislocations remain constant with an increase in the magnetic induction B, and the critical frequency v c of rotation of a sample in the magnetic field above which the effect disappears are examined. The quantities B c , B 0, and v c are investigated as functions of the basic physical parameters. It is found that the magnetoplastic effect is highly sensitive to X-ray radiation at low doses and to simultaneous action of an electric field or mechanical loading. The hardening of NaCl(Pb) crystals in the magnetic field is revealed. The theoretical interpretation is proposed for all the findings and dependences observed.