Journal ArticleDivergent evolution of slip banding in CrCoNi alloysXie, Bijun; Chen, Hangman; Wang, Pengfei; Zhang, Cheng; Xing, Bin; Xu, Mingjie; Wang, Xin; Valdevit, Lorenzo; Rimoli, Julian; Pan, Xiaoqing; Cao, Penghui<title>Abstract</title> <p>Metallic materials under high stress often exhibit deformation localization, manifesting as slip banding. Over seven decades ago, Frank and Read introduced the well-known model of dislocation multiplication at a source, explaining slip band formation. Here, we reveal two distinct types of slip bands (confined and extended) in compressed CrCoNi alloys through multi-scale testing and modeling from microscopic to atomic scales. The confined slip band, characterized by a thin glide zone, arises from the conventional process of repetitive full dislocation emissions at Frank–Read source. Contrary to the classical model, the extended band stems from slip-induced deactivation of dislocation sources, followed by consequent generation of new sources on adjacent planes, leading to rapid band thickening. Our findings provide insights into atomic-scale collective dislocation motion and microscopic deformation instability in advanced structural materials.</p>Springer Nature2025-04-1610590399Nature Communications1612041-1723https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58480-42011967; 2105328National Science Foundation