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Determination of the effective zero point of contact for spherical nanoindentation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Alexander J. Moseson ,
Sandip Basu  and
Michel W. Barsoum
Alexander J. Moseson*
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Sandip Basu
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Michel W. Barsoum
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: ajm54@drexel.edu
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Abstract

Accurate determination of the “zero point,” the first contact between an indenter tip and sample surface, has to date remained elusive. In this article, we outline a relatively simple, objective procedure by which an effective zero point can be determined accurately and reproducibly using a nanoindenter equipped with a continuous stiffness measurement option and a spherical tip. The method relies on applying a data shift, which ensures that curves of stiffness versus contact radius are linear and go through the origin. The method was applied to fused silica, sapphire single crystals, and polycrystalline iron with various indenter sizes to a zero-point resolution of ≈2 nm. Errors of even a few nanometers can drastically alter plots and calculations that use the data, including curves of stress versus strain.

Keywords

NanoscaleStress/strain relationship
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 204 - 209
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2008

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References

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