The analysis of the distribution of moving dislocations was used to obtain the energy associated with the short-range order present in the γ-phase of a Ni-base superalloy. This energy was evaluated at different spatial points within the sample when the dislocations propagate at 25 and  350C. An accurate calculation revealed a clear spatial fluctuation of this energy over several micrometers. The short-range order thus acts as a non-uniform obstacle with (i) soft areas extending over several micrometers where the nucleation of dislocation sources was enabled and (ii) hard ones where dislocation pile-ups need to be crossed through.

The Fluctuation of Short-Range Order Evidenced by Mobile Dislocations in the γ-Phase of a Nickel-Based Superalloy. F.Pettinari-Sturmel, A.Coujou, N.Clément: Materials Science and Engineering A, 2005, 400-401, 114-7