Subject: Crystal Defect Deformation and Fracture

Subject code: MSE 2212

Experiment NO: 03
Experiment Name: Crystallographic study of Screw dislocation
Experiment no: 04
Experiment Name : Crystallographic study of screw
dislocation

Objectives: To know about some basic information of screw

dislocation like it’s movement, relation with burger vector and
burger circuit , difference with edge dislocation and some
advantages and disadvantages.

Introduction: Screw dislocation are line imperfection of a

perfect crystal structure . The screw dislocation 'unzips' the
lattice as it moves through it, creating a 'screw' or helical
arrangement of atoms around the core. A screw dislocation
moves in a direction perpendicular to the Burgers vector.
2D symble for screw dislocation : S

3D symble for screw dislocation : s

s

Properties : 1. Defect line is perpendicular to the direction of

stress.
2. dislocation line is parallel to burgers vector.
3. dislocation line movement is perpendicular to the direction
of burger vector.
Movement of screw dislocation : The motion of screw is
also a result of screw dislocation. Defect line movement is
perpendicular to the direction of the stress.

Blue atom are these atom which haven’t moved from its
original position, red atom have moved one atomic distance
and green atom are in process of moving. For screw dislocation
a portion of bond is broken at a given time, so small amount of
force is required to move the dislocation.
But for edge dislocation all bond are broken at the same time
so more force is required.
Plank analogy of screw dislocation : it’s easier to slide the
atom one at a time than all together.

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.
Difference between Edge and Screw dislocation :

Dislocation property Edge dislocation Screw dislocation

Figure

Relationship Perpendicular Parallel

between dislocation
line burger vector
Slip direction Parallel to b Parallel to b
Direction of Parallel Perpendicular
dislocation line
movement relative
to b
Relationship Parallel Perpendicular
between defect line
movement to the
stress

Both edge dislocation and screw dislocation have the

same final structure.
Advantage and disadvantage of dislocation:
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.