Measuring Hardness and Elastic Modulus with Nanoindentation - Micro Materials UK

The principle of a nanoindenter is based on nanoindentation, a technique used to measure the mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale, such as hardness, elastic modulus, and creep. It works by pressing a sharp indenter into the surface of a material under controlled force while measuring the depth of the indentation.

How Nanoindentation Works:

1. Indentation Process
   • A sharp indenter, typically made of diamond, is pressed into the surface of the material at a controlled load. The force applied and the depth of indentation are precisely monitored throughout the process.
2. Load and Displacement Measurement
   • During the indentation, both the force applied and the displacement of the indenter are measured in real-time. This provides a load-displacement curve that can be used to derive key mechanical properties.
3. Elastic and Plastic Deformation
   • When the indenter penetrates the surface, it causes both elastic deformation (reversible) and plastic deformation (permanent). The ratio of these deformations helps determine the material's hardness and elastic modulus.
4. Continuous Stiffness Measurement (CSM)
   • Some advanced nanoindenters use continuous stiffness measurement (CSM), where the rate of indentation is periodically paused to measure the stiffness of the material by analyzing the response of the material to small oscillations. This allows for the measurement of both hardness and elastic modulus without needing separate tests.
5. Data Analysis
   • The load-displacement curve obtained during testing is analyzed to extract mechanical properties:
     • Hardness: The maximum depth of indentation or the force-to-area ratio.
     • Elastic Modulus: The slope of the unloading curve.
     • Other Properties: Depending on the type of test, properties like creep resistance, strain rate sensitivity, or friction can also be measured.

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