Using atomic-scale simulation techniques, a study was made of the dislocation-pinning mechanism in a dilute Ni-Al model solid solution. For solute concentrations of between 1 and 10at%, it was found that pinning of the dislocation by obstacles made of Al pairs was a significant interaction. The statistics of dislocation motion were then modified, according to the nature of the obstacles, and exhibited modified Mott-Nabarro statistics. A method of treating thermal activation was proposed, and demonstrated for a periodic row of solute pairs.

Atomic-Scale Study of Dislocation Glide in a Model Solid Solution. L.Proville, D.Rodney, Y.Bréchet, G.Martin: Philosophical Magazine, 2006, 86[25-26], 3893-920