[en] Intermetallic compounds with the L1₂ structure exhibit unusual mechanical properties, which result in an anomalous increase in flow stress with temperature. These mechanical properties, that are strongly dependent on alloy composition, temperature and sample orientation, are briefly reviewed in the present paper, in order to assemble the whole macroscopic characteristics of L1₂ intermetallic compounds which have to be explained by the various dislocation models that have been proposed to date or will be elaborated in the near future. (orig.)