Nano-Impact Testing for Advanced Material Performance in High-Stress Applications

Nano-impact and fatigue

Technical Notes

Enhance Material Durability with Precision Nano-Impact Testing for High-Stress Environments


Taking 5 mins or less, nano-impact tests provide a direct correlation to coating performance in applications involving repetitive contact, in metal cutting and in auto- and aero-engines. Cyclic nano-impact testing is commonly used to simulate high-speed machining. The strain rate in the impact test is much higher than in nanoindentation. Single impacts are used to study hardness at high strain rate. Random (statistically distributed) impact testing is used to simulate solid particle erosion.

https://www.micromaterials.co.uk/nanotest-vantage - micro material-ukmade

The NanoTest™ Vantage™ system offers a complete range of mechanical and tribological tests across multiple length scales in one flexible and user-friendly instrument.


With just one test platform a range of mechanical properties can be investigated, allowing a complete picture of material performance to be assembled.




Hard metals combine high hardness with high fracture toughness giving excellent wear resistance under highly loaded contact. In determining which carbide grade to use for a given application the fracture toughness or hardness alone may not be the best indicator of performance. 


Impact tests on two cemented carbide grades with almost the same hardness. The carbide grade with lower % Co binder and lower fracture toughness showed improved damage tolerance in the micro-impact test. However, the grade with higher binder was susceptible to more severe impact damage matching its poorer performance in a drilling application. 


image showing results of impact tests on two cemented carbide grades - mechanical test instrument-micromaterial-ukmade
image showing crack system produced during randomised impact test on BK7 glass produced using NanoTest instrument from Micro Materials Ltd

Random impact testing. 250 impacts on BK7 glass at 500 mN applied load using a 25 µm end-radius diamond conical probe in a rectangular distribution over a 500 µm x 500 µm area. 


The radial-lateral crack system extends far from each impact causing crack systems between impacts to join up and increase the rate of material removal. Damage on fused silica was much lower under the same conditions consistent with its lower erosion rate. 


Micro-impact testing

Technical Notes

Randomised impact

Technical Notes

Nano-impact testing of DLC coatings

Application Notes

High strain rate testing of aerospace composites

Application Notes

Wear resistant coatings

Application Notes

Impact Publications

Application Notes


Explore More

To further enhance your experience and understanding, we invite you to check out the following pages on our website that we believe are essential to your journey with us:

  1. High-Temperature Nanoindentation Testing for Advanced Material Characterization
  2. Advanced Nano Scratch and Wear Testing for Coatings and Materials
  3. Nano-Impact Testing for Advanced Material Performance in High-Stress Applications

These pages offer valuable insights and resources to help you achieve your goals.