Ti3Al is an ordered intermetallic compound having the DO19-type superlattice structure. The compound exhibits very limited ductility in tension below 700°C because of a pronounced planarity of slip and the absence of a sufficient number of independent slip systems. Significant differences in slip behavior in the compound as a result of differences in strain rate and mode of deformation are reported here.Figure 1 is a comparison of dislocation substructures in polycrystalline Ti3Al specimens deformed in tension, creep, and fatigue. Slip activity on both the basal and prism planes is observed for each mode of deformation. The dominant slip vector in unidirectional deformation is the a-type (b) = <1120>) (Fig. la). The dislocations are straight, occur for the most part in a screw orientation, and are arranged in planar bands. In contrast, the dislocation distribution in specimens crept at 700°C (Fig. lb) is characterized by a much reduced planarity of slip, a tangled dislocation arrangement instead of planar bands, and an increased incidence of nonbasal slip vectors.
