Quantitative in situ nanoindentation of aluminum films
We report the development of a method for quantitative, in situ nanoindentation in an electron microscope and its application to study the onset of deformation during the nanoindentation of aluminum films. The load-displacement curve developed during in situ nanoindentation shows the characteristic ''staircase'' instability at the onset of plastic deformation. The instability corresponds to the first appearance of dislocations in previously defect-free grains, and occurs at a force near that measured in conventional nanoindentation experiments on similarly oriented Al grains. Plastic deformation proceeds through the formation and propagation of prismatic loops punched into the material, and half-loops that emanate from the sample surface. This new experimental technique permits the direct observation of the microstructural mechanisms that operate at the onset of deformation.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director, Office of Science. Office of Basic EnergySciences. Division of Materials Sciences
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 860719
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL--47703
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 79; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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