LXXXVI. A note on the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect

Abstract

Summary Substitutional solute atoms in aluminium usually diffuse too slowly to cause appreciable strain ageing at room temperature. However, if the concentration of vacancies is increased by plastic deformation or by quenching, the rate of diffusion may increase sufficiently to cause strain ageing during plastic deformation. A serrated stress-strain curve should then result. These ideas are used to explain the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect.