The effect of degree of order on the critical resolved shear stress for slip in Mg3Cd

Abstract Single crystals of Mg3Cd oriented to favour either basal slip or prismatic slip have been deformed in tension at room temperature (25°c). The effect of state of order on the critical resolved shear stress (C.R.S.S.) for basal slip and on that for prismatic slip has been determined by quenching in the appropriate degree of order at room temperature. The C.R.S.S. for basal slip has been found to increase with increasing degree of order while the C.R.S.S. for prismatic slip showed a marked decrease. The results are discussed with reference to previous studies on polycrystalline Mg3Cd.