Atomic force microscopy studies show that sharp yield points in steels are explained by the existence of hard grain boundary walls, contrary to current accepted theories.

Pure screw dislocations can become helical by absorbing defects such as vacancies and develop attractive interaction with another helical dislocation to form a double helix structure.

This article, the second in a two-part series on titanium alloys, examines the effects of microtexture on deformation behavior, slip dislocations, and fatigue properties. Part I, which appeared in the April 2021 issue, described microstructural evolution processes that result in microtexture formation.

Characterizing ice and snow is important not only for building accurate climate models, but also for activities such as relating the mechanical properties of sea ice to its microstructure so that the interaction of ice with ships and structures can be better understood. This article describes the microstructural characterization of ice. Many microstructural characterization techniques that can be applied to other materials also can be used to examine ice.

Selective-melt sintering is faster and more efficient than the methods currently used to make high-density ceramics. This article explains how applied electric fields contribute to the formation of metallic precipitates at grain boundaries and how defect segregation and field-assisted migration generate heat near dislocations and in grain boundaries, reducing flow stress and retarding grain growth in the solid state.