In situ transmission electron microscopy observations of room-temperature plasticity in sub-micron-size TaC(100) and TaC(011) single crystals

Using in situ electron microscopy based uniaxial compression and density functional theory calculations, we investigated the room-temperature mechanical responses of sub-micron-scale cylindrical TaC(100) and TaC(011) pillars. The TaC(100) and TaC(011) pillars deform plastically via shear along {11¯0}〈110〉 and {11¯1}〈110〉, respectively. Interestingly, both TaC(100) and TaC(011) exhibit size-independent yield strengths, with average values of 9 ± 2.4 and 11 ± 3.4 GPa, respectively. Our results provide new insights into the role of crystal anisotropy on room-temperature plasticity in TaC.