A persistent slip band was initiated on the persistent slip line that first formed in the matrix vein dislocation structure in single-slip oriented single crystals which were cyclically deformed under constant plastic shear strain amplitude control. During intermediate-temperature recovery in vacuum at 245 to 400C, the variations in dislocation configurations, and other defects, of fatigued specimens were studied by using scanning electron microscopic electron channelling contrast and positron annihilation life techniques. The results showed that the ladders in the persistent slip bands became curved and broken, or escaped locally, until the persistent slip bands disappeared completely during intermediate-temperature recovery treatment. Annihilation of persistent slip bands, and other dislocation structures, in the fatigued specimens prolonged the fatigue life to a certain extent.

Annihilation of Persistent Slip Bands and its Effect on the Fatigue Life of Copper Single Crystals. S.X.Li, M.Y.Li, R.Zhu, Y.S.Chao: Philosophical Magazine, 2004, 84[31], 3323-34