Application of Transmission Electron Microscopy to the Study of Deformation in Ceramic Oxides

Slip systems, dislocation reactions, and dislocation dissociations are reviewed in relation to the crystal structures of ceramic oxides. Techniques of deformation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are described. The impact of TEM on the understanding of deformation in oxides is discussed by relating the observed dislocation substructures to the mechanical properties in several oxide systems. Important information can be obtained on dislocation glide and climb processes in relation to work hardening, recovery, and creep. Yielding and the brittle‐to‐ductile transition temperature are discussed in terms of the magnitude of the Burgers vector in various crystal structures and the influence of dissociation reactions and diffusion. Examples include oxides with close‐packed anions such as MgO, MgAl 2 O 4 BeO, A1 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , and Mg 2 SiO 4 , and other oxides such as Cu 2 O, UO 2 , and SiO 2 .