Search

n the present study, a semi-empirical modeling of the mechanical response in pile-up mode is obtained by deriving the load-depth relationship during the indentation loading cycle. The advantage compared to the relations previously used is that this new expression is a function of the predictable criterion of the mode of deformation, (hf/hm), which makes it possible to distinguish the sink-in mode from the pile-up mode. A comparison between the proposed expression and the results of the instrumented indentation tests shows excellent agreement

Elaborating an instrumented nanoindentation is to exercise non-destructive tests to be applied to volumes of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) materials in miniature. This work focuses on factors that explain the trends variation of mechanical properties like Young's modulus (E), contact hardness (H) and indentation force (P). The evolution of E and H with depth (h) and P shows a 2.77 nm inflection point at low penetrations, separating two zones: the first increasing and the second decreasing. This is respectively explained by the surface hardening induced by preparing the material surface, and the existence of a surface hardness gradient denoted by an indentation size effect (ISE) observed at very low depths. Moreover, In addition, a critical penetration depth of 9.71 nm below which the surface effect dominates the variation of the penetrating load is detected. E and H results differences between dynamic and static modes are 8.46% and 6.44% inducing an overestimation of 35 MPa in E value, and an underestimation of 1.23 MPa in H value. This tends to affect the expected nanoscale precision of the indentation to determine the nanomechanical properties of PMMA.

The determination of the performance of materials requires the characterization of materials at scales: macro, micro and nanoscale. Among the most common experimental methods one can find the instrumented indentation test for determining the contact stiffness and contact depth and analyzing the characteristic curve by nanoindentation load on the penetration of the indentor. Through statistical processing of the experimental results, the rigidity of contact on the contact depth is investigated, depending on the indentation load, for bronze, brass and copper. A mathematical model is adopted to describe the polynomial regression by the method of least squares growth rigidity with one or more geometric parameters representative of the size of the footprint. This study allows us to identify factors that influence the rigidity of the materials examined and the sensitivity of the used indenters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small punch test of a sample in miniature is implemented in order to estimate the ultimate load of CrMoV ductile steel. The objective of this study is to model the ultimate tensile strength and ultimate load indentation according to the geometrical parameters of the SPT using experimental data. A comparison of the model obtained with the two models (European code of practice and method of Norris and Parker) allows the design and dimensioning of an indentation device that meets the practical constraints. Implemented as a Matlab program, allows the investigation of new combinations of test variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]