Structural and Phase Transformation of Apatite and Quartz in the Indentation Process Single Crystals.

Using the method of scanning and high-resolution electron microscopy, the zones of indentation by scratching for apatite and quartz single crystals were investigated. The textural, structural and phase transformations revealed have been conventionally ascribed to "deformation" and "diffusion" processes of plastic deformation. In zones of indentation by scratching of single crystals there have been two levels of structural transformations revealed, with a sharp boundary between them, at a stress equal to the theoretical ultimate stress limit (σTSL). In the top zone of scratches, within the range of stress from the microhardness value Hs up to the σTSL value the substance undergoes profound structural and phase transformations. In the bed of scratches at the stress value lower than σTSL values, single crystal fragmentation occurs with the formation of blocks and steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]