The effect of creep rate on the mechanism of cavity growth

Abstract The effect of creep rate on the angular distribution of cavitated grain boundaries has been investigated. It was found that at high creep rates cavities form mainly on boundaries at 45° to the stress axis while at lower creep rates cavitation occurs preferentially on boundaries making greater angles with the stress axis. It is suggested that at high creep rates cavities grow by grain boundary sliding and at low creep rates by absorbing vacancies from the neighbouring grain boundary.