Transmission electron microscopy studies of dislocations and stacking faults in a hexagonal metal: Zinc

A detailed study was made of dislocations in zinc by the use of transmission electron microscopy. Evidence was found for the occasional separation of perfect dislocations into partials separated by a stacking fault. The most striking feature was the frequent occurrence of large loops of prismatic dislocations containing a stacking fault. The interactions between such loops are discussed in detail. The loops probably originate in the precipitation of vacancies, formed during severe rolling. Fatigued samples contain larger numbers of loops. Networks were also observed; both tilt and twist boundaries were found and analysed.