The Indentation Size Effect: A Critical Examination of Experimental Observations and Mechanistic Interpretations
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) & Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)
- ORNL
The indentation size effect is one of several size effects on strength for which 'smaller is stronger.' Through use of geometrically self-similar indenters such as cones and pyramids, the size effect is manifested as an increase in hardness with decreasing depth of penetration and becomes important at depths of less than approximately 1 {micro}m. For spherical indenters, the diameter of the sphere is the most important length scale; spheres with diameters of less than approximately 100 {micro}m produce measurably higher hardnesses. We critically review experimental observations of the size effect, focusing on the behavior of crystalline metals, and examine prevailing ideas on the mechanisms responsible for the effect in light of recent experimental observations and computer simulations.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1004980
- Journal Information:
- Annual Review of Materials Research, Vol. 40, Issue 1; ISSN 1531--7331
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Numerical and experimental study of the indentation hardness test
Exploring the origins of the indentation size effect at submicron scales