ELASTIC INTERACTION OF DEFECT CLUSTERS WITH ARBITRARY STRAIN FIELDS IN AN ANISOTROPIC CONTINUUM

Fourier transform techniques applied to anisotropic linear continuum elasticity theory are used to calculate interaction energies between pairs of defect clusters, the defects being characterized by distortion tensors of arbitrary symmetry. Far-field interaction energies are expressed by means of a single integration over a closed form angle-dependent function. Near-field interactions are evaluated by numerical integration for the case of spherical defect clusters. For isotropic distortion centers in a Cu matrix, interaction energy minima are formed along the 〈100〉 directions at separations just greater than the touching distance of the spheres, thereby leading to a simple cubic array of precipitates, as is encountered in the Ni-base superalloys, for example. The depth, position and orientation of the interaction energy minimum change as the symmetry of the defect distortion tensor is altered. A Fourier method is also developed for calculating the self-energy of a defect cluster which gives excellent agreement with the self-energy calculated by a direct-space method. © 1979.