ELASTIC INTERACTION ENERGY OF 2 SPHERICAL PRECIPITATES IN AN ANISOTROPIC MATRIX

Following the difference method of Eshelby, the elastic interaction energy between two spherical precipitates embedded in an infinite matrix of cubic anisotropy is studied as a function of their distance of separation and alignment direction. When the precipitates are positioned along the [100] direction of the matrix phase, the elastic interaction is found to be attractive and often to exhibit a maximum value at an intercenter distance of two to three radii. For the [110] and [111] alignments, the results depend on the sign of the anisotropic factor, H=2C44+C12-C11, of the matrix phase. When it is positive as in Cu and Ni, the interaction is found to be repulsive. In the reverse case, the situation is substantially different; for the [111] alignment with a Mo matrix, the interaction is found to be of an attractive nature. © 1979 American Society for Metals and the Metallurgical Society of AIME.