Simulating Nanoindentation of Thin Cu Films Using Molecular Dynamics and Peridynamics

Nanoindentation is a useful experimental method to characterize the micromechanical properties of materials. In this study molecular dynamics and peridynamics are used to simulate nanoindentation, with a spherical indenter targeting a thin single crystal Cu film, resting on an infinitely stiff substrate. The objective is to compare the results obtained from molecular dynamic simulations to those obtained using a peridynamic approach as regards the force-displacement curves and the deformation patterns after that the material parameters in the peridynamic model have been fitted to the force displacement curve from the molecular dynamic simulation.