Reversible movement of ½[1¯10](110) dislocation loops generated from nanodisturbances in a β-titanium alloy was demonstrated. High-resolution transmission electron microscope observations during an in situ tensile test found three reversible deformation mechanisms, nanodisturbances, dislocation loops and martensitic transformation, that were triggered in turn with increasing applied stress. All three mechanisms contribute to the nonlinear elasticity of the alloy. The experiments also revealed the evolution of the dislocation loops to disclination dipoles that cause severe local lattice rotations.

Reversible Movement of Homogenously Nucleated Dislocations in a β-Titanium Alloy. J.P.Cui, Y.L.Hao, S.J.Li, M.L.Sui, D.X.Li, R.Yang: Physical Review Letters, 2009, 102[4], 045503