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Kink-band deformation occurs in the MAX ceramic Ti3SiC2,
and the photographs opposite show such a band at different magnifications.
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The top color photograph is an optical micrograph and shows the abrupt
direction change produced by the kink-band.
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The lower photograph is an electron micrograph of the structure and reveals
cracks that terminate at the boundaries of the kink band, i.e. at a wall
of edge dislocations.
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This kink-band behavior not only improves the toughness of the material
but improves its ability to stand fluctuating stress applications and hence
its fatigue resistance. |