On the extraction of yield stresses from micro-compression experiments

It is widely stated that yield stress extraction from micro-compression testing can be unreliable due to factors such as the pillar taper, pillar-punch misalignment and lateral displacement for example through discrete slip events. This study reports on how these eradicated when using digital image correlation based strain mapping. approach demonstrated a conventional micropillar compression experiment hexagonal MAX phase system Cr2AlC. The use of this enables uncertainty extracted values significantly reduced effectively increases precision critical resolved shear basal plane ±52% ±4% mean value. findings suggest statistical variations commonly observed in tests may frequently linked systematic errors measurements taken, precise evaluation deformation statistics only facilitated if morphology closely monitored.