Critical Resolved Shear Stress (CRSS): - minimum stress to initiate slip, or stress required to initiate slip on a given slip

plane and in a given direction [most favorably oriented slip system]. i.e. FCC crystal with 12 slip systems

Load Area P cos P = , since = tensile stress A A cos

2 o is max when cos ()cos( ) is max(45 ) = cos( )cos( ) , and = y max = (.707)(.707) y = yield strength 2 max = y critical ( observed ) << critical (calculated ) 2

Reason : Slip is aided by dislocation movement