Deformation and microstructure of rutile

Studies of the mechanical properties of rutiles are described, in particular the behaviour of the elastic limit under compression with respect to variations in temperature (pure rutile), intrinsic non-stoichiometry (pure rutile reduced under low oxygen pressure) and extrinsic non-stoichiometry (rutile doped with chromia and alumina). A wide range of values is obtained, which may be understood in terms of the interaction of dislocations belonging to the slip systems {101} <1̄01> and {110} <001> with impurities, non-stoichiometric small and extended defects and precipitates. Transmission electron microscopy at medium resolution as well as high-resolution electron microscopy have been used to relate mechanical behaviour with microstructure.