The intercrystalline Gorsky effect

The intercrystalline Gorsky effect is a new relaxation mechanism due to the diffusion of interstitial solute atoms in the stress field of local elastic misfits in polycrystals. Theoretical expressions for the relaxation strength and relaxation time are given in analogy to the respective thermoelastic effect, but further details of the theory are still open. The experimental manifestation of the effect as a hydrogen damping peak is well understood with respect to grain size dependence, requirement of elastic anisotropy, and thermal activation parameters, whereas the shape of the peak is still under discussion. As concerns application, the effect might be interesting under the viewpoints of hydrogen diffusion, characterization of micro- to nanocrystalline materials, and damping properties.