Studies of the mechanical properties of rutiles were described, in particular the behaviour of the elastic limit under compression with respect to variations in temperature (pure rutile), intrinsic non-stoichiometry (pure rutile reduced under low oxygen pressure) and extrinsic non-stoichiometry (rutile doped with chromia and alumina). A wide range of values was obtained, which may be understood in terms of the interaction of dislocations belonging to the slip systems {¯101}<101> and {110}<001> with impurities, non-stoichiometric small and extended defects and precipitates. Transmission electron microscopy at medium resolution as well as high-resolution electron microscopy were used to relate mechanical behaviour with microstructure.

Deformation and Microstructure of Rutile. Blanchin, M.G., Bursill, L.A., Lafage, C.: Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 1990, 429[1876], 175-202