Interactions between dislocations and an oxide layer were studied in stainless steel. The oxide layer, which formed at 600C within 100h, was composed of (Fe,Cr)2O3. Following oxidation, the dislocation configurations were found to be modified over a few hundred nm; depending upon the initial microstructure. In the case of samples which were oxidized before mechanical cycling, marked modifications of the plasticity in the near-surface layers were observed. In both cases, the diffusion of Cr atoms and the associated vacancy flux were considered to be responsible for modifications of the dislocation configurations.

Interaction of Oxide Layers with Dislocations for an Austenitic Stainless Steel. M.Gerland, C.Vernault, J.Mendez: Materials Science and Engineering A, 2001, 311[1-2], 157-61