ECR

(Electrical Contact Resistance)

Electrical contact resistance

Technical Notes

The multi-sensing capability of the multifunctional NanoTest™ Vantage™ nanomechanical test system is enhanced with the Electrical Contact Resistance (ECR) measurement module. The ECR module measures the electrical current and voltage between an electrically conductive indenter and the sample during any of the nano/micro mechanical measurements (nanoindentation, nano-scratch, nano-impact, nano-fretting, reciprocating nano-wear) possible in the NanoTest™ Vantage™. 

image showing ECR measurement using a boron doped diamond indenter - Micro Materials Ltd

Electrically conductive probes such as metallic materials or Boron-doped diamond are required for ECR measurement. The conductive indenter creates an electrical circuit during a nano-scale contact (indentation, scratch, impact, fretting  or nano-wear) shown schematically in the figure. Tests can be run in constant current or constant voltage modes.


Silicon undergoes complex behaviour during indentation, with phase transformations and brittle fracture at higher load. ECR measurements using a Boron-doped diamond Berkovich indenter as the electrically conductive probe can provide additional information about the phase transformations that occur in loading and unloading. 


Measurements on Si(100) show the initial deviation from elastic unloading associated with phase transformation begins (point 1) before the well-known “pop-out” event (point 2) that occurs with further unloading.

ECR measurement using a boron-doped diamond Berkovich indenter - Micro Materials Ltd
image showing ECR measurement during reciprocating nano-wear tests

ECR measurement during reciprocating nano-wear tests provides unique insights into how surface topography and mechanical properties influence the friction, wear and endurance of sliding metallic connectors and multilayer coating systems.


Details of the complex failure mechanisms can be revealed by simultaneous monitoring of friction and ECR during the test.