Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
Ni3(Al,Ta) single crystals have been deformed in compression in the temperature range of the flow stress anomaly (293–780K). The strain-rate sensitivity (SRS) of the flow stress has been characterised by using a technique of repeated stress relaxations that allows for the measurement of the true (or effective) activation volume (Veff). When measured at the conventional critical resolved shear stress (CRSS), Veff exhibits as a function of temperature a sharp discontinuity close to 470K. When the temperature is held constant (420K), the discontinuity of Veff occurs along the stress-strain curve at approximately 3% strain; the stress for both discontinuities is approximately the same. These results suggest a change in the rate controlling mechanism that is dependent on stress as much or more than temperature.