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:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director, Office of Science. Office of Basic EnergySciences. Division of Materials Sciences
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 860719
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-47703; APPLAB; R&D Project: 511201; TRN: US200524%%287
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 79, Issue 11; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 09/10/2001; ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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