The profiles of 001 and 002 reflections have been measured at 1173 K as a function
of time by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) on tensile-creep deformed specimens of single
crystal superalloy SC16. Decrease in line width (full width at half maximum: FWHM) by
about 7 % and increase in peak position by about 3x10-4 degrees was detected after 8.5x104 s.
Broadening of the 002 peak profile indicated a more negative value of the lattice misfit after
the same time period. The results are discussed in the context of the anisotropic arrangement
of dislocations at the γ/γ’ interfaces during creep and their rearrangement during the thermal
treatment at 1173 K.