Relaxation of mechanical stresses in Ni3Al single crystals irradiated withhigh-power ion beams

Transmission electron microscopy and microhardness measurements were used t o study mechanisms of strengthening and the formation of the defect substru cture in the course of relaxation of thermomechanical stresses generated in single crystals of Ni3Al by high-power ion beams (HIBs) of carbon and hydr ogen at a power density of 5 x 10(7) and 10(8) W/cm(2). The main structural types of plastic flow localization zones that are formed as a result of ac tivation of collective modes of relaxation of stresses generated by HIBs we re revealed. The fine defect structure of these zones was studied in detail . The nature and possible mechanisms of deformation localization in the zon e of ion-beam modification are discussed.