Transmission electron microscopy and the study of the mechanisms of plastic deformation in metals

Transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M) has played a preeminent part in understanding the plastic deformation mechanism in solids, either by giving rise to models through direct observations of dislocations or by confirming models a posteriori. The case of pyramidal slip or pure climb creep in magnesium and of unusual slip systems in f.c.c. metals are given as examples of these approaches. The future prospects of T.E.M. are assessed and found very bright especially as regards its extension to minerals and the possibility of in situ deformation in high voltage microscopes