Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
A nickel aluminide of composition Ni–23.5Al–0.5Hf–0.2B (at. %) is found to develop intergranular cavities with a quasi-equilibrium shape when it is creep deformed at high temperatures and low stresses. When the temperature is lowered and the stress significantly increased (by a factor of 10), crack-like noses form at the tips of the original quasi-equilibrium cavities. Although this observation is in general agreement with previously published computer simulations, certain complications are found as well. The experimental and theoretical relationships between growth rates and sizes of the crack-like noses are inconsistent, and growth rates vary from nose to nose. Possible reasons for these effects are discussed.