The fundamental aspects of diffusion creep were examined with reference to creep parameters and microstructural development. It was demonstrated that there was strong microstructural support for diffusion creep, although the theoretical and experimental creep rates were likely to agree only to within an order of magnitude. This discrepancy arose partly from uncertainties in the diffusion coefficients, and also from a lack of consideration of the stochastic nature of grain size distribution. Models developed for creep in nanocrystals were examined critically. Currently, there was no good experimental evidence for the occurrence of conventional diffusion creep in nanocrystals.

Diffusion Creep in Metals and Ceramics - Extension to Nanocrystals. A.H.Chokshi: Materials Science and Engineering A, 2008, 483-484, 485-91