The interaction between a glissile cluster of self-interstitial atoms and a vacancy was studied in the α-phase by means of atomistic modelling and elasticity theory. It was found that vacancies could annihilate only with the cluster edge. Vacancies within the cluster glide prism did not annihilate with interstitials, but affected the cluster dynamic properties. These vacancies reduced or prevented cluster motion, depending upon the cluster size and ambient temperature. Qualitative differences were found in the results of atomistic and elasticity-theory approaches, and thus demonstrated the need for an atomistic approach.

Vacancy Interaction with Glissile Interstitial Clusters in BCC Metals. M.Pelfort, Y.N.Osetsky, A.Serra: Philosophical Magazine Letters, 2001, 81[12], 803-11