Quantitative AFM investigation of slip line structure in Fe3Al single crystals after deformation at various temperatures

The fine structure of slip lines produced during the first stages of compressive deformation of Fe3Al single crystals in the temperature range of 300–900 K has been examined by scanning force microscopy (AFM). A special evaluation scheme has been developed to obtain the distribution of local shear for quantitative information on the clustering of slip. This permits conclusions on the distribution and activity of dislocation sources as well as on the transition of slip to neighbouring planes by cross-slip. The possible dislocation processes at different temperatures are briefly discussed.