Indentation of glasses

Indentation, owing to its ability induce permanent deformation in a controlled manner even highly brittle materials that are otherwise not amenable critical mechanical testing experiments, is widely used for studying the behavior of amorphous solids. In this paper, an overview current understanding on indentation response inorganic glasses – both metallic and non-metallic presented. The stresses underneath sharp indenter, such as Vickers indenter most commonly evaluate hardness glasses, can be substantial, which, turn, densification, plastic deformation, viscous flow, cracking, depending number material experimental variables. physics mechanics these processes, interplay between them, their effect reviewed. composition various glass systems chalcogenides, phosphates, silicates, silicon oxynitrides, discussed. Different microcrack patterns occur during fracture resistance summarized. effects extrinsic parameters time, temperature, pressure highlighted. use bonded-interface nanoindentation techniques incipient well localized nature flow sensitivity, A review nanoindentation’s contribution investigating strain rate, ion irradiation, environmental provided. Finally, possible future avenues further exploration