On the origin of planar slip in f.c.c. alloys

Abstract The origin of planar slip in single-phase and precipitation-hardened f.c.c. alloys is discussed in detail. It is shown that pronounced short range order (SRO) or short range clustering (SRC) in solid solutions are the main reasons causing planar slip. Since the leading dislocations destroy SRO (SRC), glide plane softening occurs; therefore, a yield point or a point of inflection is observed on the stress-strain curve. In precipitation-hardened alloys finely dispersed particles with an atomic order also give rise to planar slip. Distinct planar slip occurs when cross slip is planar too. Other parameters, like a low value of the stacking fault energy or a high value of the yield stress, seem to be only of minor importance for the formation of pronounced planar slip.