Dislocation analysis of Ti₂AlN deformed at room temperature under confining pressure

Abstract

Compression experiments of the brittle MAX phase Ti₂AlN were performed under confining gas pressure at room temperature. Subsequently, a complete dislocation analysis was performed by transmission electron microscopy. In particular, the Burgers vectors and the dislocation lines were studied via the weak beam technique: dislocation reactions are reported for the first time in a MAX phase, as well as dipole interactions. Footprints of a high lattice friction were also observed. All these features point towards classical dislocation activity, eventually leading to hardening.

Keywords:

• MAX phases
• Ti₂AlN
• dislocations
• transmission electron microscopy
• plasticity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank P. Carrez for fruitful discussion, and A.-M. Archambault and A. Baudet for their technical assistance.