On the elastic interaction between a surface step and an edge dislocation

This manuscript addresses the issue of interaction between a surface step and an edge dislocation. It represents the first step in an investigation that will examine dislocation egress in the presence of surface steps. The geometric step introduces an elastic field that is altered by the presence of a dislocation in its vicinity. The complete elastic field is first determined, followed by explicit expressions for the Peach-Koehler force of the interaction. A discussion follows focusing on the possibility that an edge dislocation can be prevented from reaching the surface as a result of the field generated by the surface step. If such an outcome is possible, surface steps may be responsible for a new mechanism of strain hardening. Such a possibility has been recently suggested in the literature.The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICS OF SOLIDS, Volume: 13 Issue: 3-4 Pages: 336-356, (c) 2008 SAGE Publications by SAGE Publications Ltd, All rights reserved. SAGE Journals Online: http://online.sagepub.co