Theory of the nonplanar splitting of screw dislocations in Gum Metal

A theoretical model is suggested that describes nonplanar splitting of perfect dislocations into partials in a newly discovered group of alloys called Gum Metal. Within the model, the partials have line cores located at a nanoscale circle and are connected by ( generalized ) stacking faults. Due to the complicated nonplanar structure of the split dislocation configuration and associated stacking faults, the split dislocation has a low mobility. Results of the model take into account experimental data on suppression of dislocation slip in Gum Metal reported in the literature.