High-resolution electron microscopy was used to study defects in mechanically deformed and reduced rutiles. This revealed the dependence of precipitation phenomena upon cooling history and the direction of the compression axis. Dislocation dissociation mechanisms played a role. The fact that applied stress favors of clusters of small linear defects within the non-stoichiometric phase TiO2-x at the deformation temperature seemed to be necessary in order to explain the observed structures. It appeared that plastic deformation could be achieved directly by the precipitation of extended defects.

Extended Defects in Deformed Rutile. Blanchin, M.G., Bursill, L.A., Smith, D.J.: Physica Status Solidi A, 1985, 89[2], 559-70