Defect Structure and the Temperature Dependence of Hardness of an Intermetallic Compound

Abstract

The temperature dependence of hardness of the intermetallic compound was studied from −190°C to the solidus temperature over the entire homogeneity range. The effect of structure on hardness at high homologous temperatures differs radically from that at low temperatures. These results, over virtually the full homologous temperature range, appear to rationalize previously contradictory studies of the effect of defect structure on the room temperature strength of intermetallic compounds.