The aim of indentation analysis is to link indentation data, typically an indentation force vs. indentation depth curve, P h, to meaningful mechanical properties of the indented material.
The ratio between hardness and modulus arises as a key parameter, which is related to the ratio between irreversible and reversible deformation during indentation, the material's yield strength, and the resistance to irreversible deformation, a material property which represents the energy required to create a unit volume of purely irreversible deformation.
The validity and artifacts of the cohesive interface model are carefully examined, and the crack morphologies under various indentation and material parameters are systematically studied.
Over the last decade, indentation-based material characterization has shifted away from contact zone measurements for identifying the work hardening properties, and has begun to focus on inverse analysis using an experimental and simulated loading unloading curve instead.
In the present work, a comprehensive parametric study for establishing contact mechanics of instrumented normal spherical indentation on homogeneous materials and materials with plastically graded surface layer (PGSL) was undertaken by dimensional analysis and finite element modeling.
In order to explain from theory the hardness phenomena associated with Vickers indentation in this material, all of these factors require to be considered.
Explicit relationships between the indentation loading unloading parameters, material properties, and residual stress are established through extensive finite element analyses.
In this paper, based on a new definition of representative strain, a set of dimensionless functions that relate the indentation characteristics and material properties are established by means of extensive finite element analyses.
Instrumented indentation of hyperelastic materials such as rubbers, bio-materials, tissues etc has not been examined in depth, especially the inverse problem of material characterization from instrumented indentation response.
During indentation of brittle materials, cracks may be generated around the impression, depending on load conditions, material and indenter geometry.
