DESTRUCTION OF SINGLE CRYSTALS AND LOCAL CHANGE IN THE LONG RANGE ATOMIC ORDER DURING MECHANICAL TESTS OF THE [Ni.sub.3]Ge INTERMETALLIC ALLOY

Results of investigation into the destruction of [Ni.sub.3]Ge single crystals oriented along the [001] axis are presented. Dislocation structures and deformation relief after deformation at different temperatures are studied. It is demonstrated that the dislocation structure remains homogeneous in the entire range of anomalous temperature dependence of [Ni.sub.3]Ge mechanical properties. Transition from brittle to brittle-viscous destruction mechanism is observed with increasing temperature. Zones with completely or partially destructed long range atomic order are formed near the opened crack surfaces. Keywords: intermetallic alloys, deformation, destruction, single crystal, [Ni.sub.3]Ge, destruction of long range atomic order, deformation localization.