Subject: Crystal Defect Deformation and Fracture

Subject code: MSE 2212

Experiment NO: 03
Experiment Name: Crystallographic study of edge dislocation
DEPT: MSE
Experiment No: 03
Experiment Name: Crystallographic study of edge dislocation.
Objectives : To know about different kind of edge dislocations,
their movement and relation with burger vector and vector
circuit.

Introduction : Edge dislocation are line imperfection in a

perfect crystal structure. It occurs when there are extra atoms
inserted into a plane in the crystal lattice. Edge dislocations can
be visualized as being caused by the termination of a plane of
atoms in the middle of a crystal. In such a case, the surrounding
planes are not straight, but instead bend around the extra half
plane of atoms. Edge dislocation is denoted by ( inverse T).
Types of Edge dislocation: According to the position of extra
half plane of atom edge dislocation can be classified as
Positive edge dislocation and Negative edge dislocation.
Positive edge dislocation: Extra half plane of atoms starts from
top of the crystal structure.
2D symble: 3D symble:

Fig: Positive edge dislocation

Negative Edge Dislocation: Extra half plane starts from the
bottom of the crystal structure.
2D symble: 3D symble:

Fig: Negative edge dislocation

Dislocation Motion: Dislocation helps to occur plastic

deformation, so the term movement of dislocation is important
to give desire shapes. Edge dislocation have extra half plane of
atoms in the middle of a crystal structure which requires more
energy to maintain equilibrium state. As we know, all structure
have the tendency to remain in minimum energy state, so by
applying shear stress extra half plane of atoms cam be moved.

As a result of applied stress, Orange star atom move( 1 atomic

distance) to the position at blue star atom. Next 2 atom also
follow the same way. Now plane 5 runs continuously from top
to bottom, and plane 6 ends at the slip plane.

Some properties of edge dislocation:

1. Dislocation line is perpendicular to the burger vector.
2. Direction of dislocation line movement is parallel to the
burger vector and stress

Burger vector and burger circuit: The distortion of the periodic

Atomic arrangement is represented by burger vector.
And the burger circuit in a crystal containing dislocations in a
atom to atom path which form a closed loop.

Advantage and disadvantage of edge dislocation:

Edge dislocations make it easier for a metal to deform because
they stretch out the bonds between nearby atoms and,
therefore, allow atoms to slip past each other more easily.
Presence of dislocation helps strengthen metallic materials
and increase ductility. Dislocation also influence electronic and
optical properties of materials.
In the absence of dislocation metals would be brittle and that
metal could not be shaped by metalworking process like forging
into different shapes.
Presence of dislocation has a harmful effect on the
performance of photo detectors, light emitting diodes, lesers
and soler cells.