Individual Ni3Al nanocubes under pressure were investigated by comparing the compressive strength of both dislocation-free and irradiated Ni3Al nanocubes. The results were discussed in light of the size-dependent and size-independent strength of face-centered cubic nanocrystals in the framework of dislocation nucleation at free surfaces. This study shed more light on the understanding of fundamental deformation mechanisms and size-affected strength in dislocation-free metallic nanocrystals

Ultrahigh Strength of Dislocation-Free Ni3Al Nanocubes. Maass, R., Meza, L., Gan, B., Tin, S., Greer, J.R.: Small, 2012, 8[12], 1869-75