The origin of the anomalous temperature-dependence of the high work-hardening rate, and the modest strain-rate sensitivity, which were observed in many L12 alloys was investigated by means of a so-called 'end-on' simulation of dislocation dynamics in this material. The model reproduced most of the atypical mechanical properties which were observed experimentally. A study of the evolution of the distribution of Kear-Wilsdorf locks during plastic deformation indicated that the order of magnitude of the work-hardening rate stemmed from preferential exhaustion of the weakest locks. In addition, the low measured strain-rate sensitivity was found to depend upon the absence of a correlation between those dislocation properties which provided the plastic strain and those which determined the flow stress level.

Simulation of the Plastic Flow in Ni3Al: Work Hardening and Strain-Rate Sensitivity. Devincre, B., Veyssière, P., Saada, G.: Philosophical Magazine A, 1999, 79[7], 1609-27