On the stress exponent of dislocation climb velocity

The few available examples of pure climb plasticity indicate that the stress dependence of the corresponding dislocation velocity is larger than the simple proportionality predicted by classical models. A possible explanation is proposed on the basis of a comparison with dislocation glide in semiconductors. It is subsequently shown that high-temperature creep of several materials, in particular superalloys, may be controlled by the same process. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.