A number of neglected techniques of investigation and types of materia
l properties relating to high-temperature intermetallics, are highligh
ted and a case is briefly outlined for greater attention to paid to so
me of these. Special emphasis is put on the factors that govern slip t
ransmission across grain boundaries and dislocation injection from one
phase into another and the implication of these processes for amelior
ating brittleness. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reser
ved.