Two modes of slip systems in iron silicon crystals

Single crystals of iron 11·6 wt.% silicon were deformed in compression and slip bands were observed by optical microscope in specimens of different orientations. The deformation took place mostly by crystallographic slip along {110} planes, however, non-crystallographic slip in specimens of particular orientations was observed, too. On the basis of the present and previous results a simple qualitative model is proposed which explains which slip planes should be observed in crystals of iron with different silicon content deformed under various conditions. The main idea of the model is the eixstence of two different modes of slip systems in these crystals. The model predicts the conditions at which one slip mode prevails.