Abstract
The effect of dissociation on the energy of a perfect dislocation in f.c.c. metals is considered using elasticity theory and is compared with the Peierls-model calculations of Prinz, Kirchner and Schoeck (1978). It is shown that the effect, which is significant, largely arises from the elastic energy, and that consequently models of strengthening, etc., can incorporate the influence of dissociation if suitable values of energy and line tension are used. Effective isotropic elastic constants which give these values for real metals are discussed.