One-to-one comparisons between indentation experiments and atomistic modelling have until recently been hampered by the discrepancy in length scales of the two approaches. Here, we review progress in atomic-scale nanoindentation experiments employing scanning probe techniques to achieve depth-sensing indentation and field ion microscopy to permit detailed indenter characterization. This perspec...

The introduction of controlled gradients in plastic properties is known to influence the resistance to damage and cracking at contact surfaces in many tribological applications. In order to assess potentially beneficial effects of plastic property gradients in tribological applications, it is essential first to develop a comprehensive and quantitative understanding of the effects of yield stren...

The recently developed Reference Point Indentation (RPI) allows the measurements of bone properties at the tissue level in vivo. The goal of this study was to compare the local anisotropic behaviour of bovine plexiform bone measured with depth sensing micro-indentation tests and with RPI. Fifteen plexiform bone specimens were extracted from a bovine femur and polished down to 0.05µm alumina pas...

We employ the Eshelby–Stroh formalism to study generalized plane strain infinitesimal deformations caused due to the indentation by a rigid circular cylinder of an elastic laminated plate with a throughthe-width rectangular void between two adjoining layers. Assuming that the void does not close during the indentation process, we find the indentation modulus (i.e., the slope of the indentation ...

The mechanical properties of endothelial glycocalyx were studied using atomic force microscopy with a silica bead (diameter ∼18 μm) serving as an indenter. Even at indentations of several hundred nanometers, the bead exerted very low compressive pressures on the bovine lung microvascular endothelial cell (BLMVEC) glycocalyx and allowed for an averaging of stiffness in the bead-cell contact area...

Non-linear quasi-static axisymmetric indentation problem is studied for comparitive computational analysis between elasto-plastic parameters and mechanical behaviour of homogeneous engineering metal materials. Mathematical model, based on deformation theory version of J2 theory, leads to quasi-static elasto-plastic contact problem with unknown contact domain, depending on the value of a indenta...

ÐThe response of lead zirconate titanate and barium titanate piezoelectric ceramics to spherical microindentation was investigated. Force vs penetration depth curves obtained from instrumented indentation reveal that the indentation sti€ness depends on the material condition (i.e. poled vs unpoled) and the type of indentor (i.e. electrically conducting vs insulating). Good agreement was found b...

Single-crystal sapphire (α-Al2O3) is a hard and brittle material. Due to its highly crystalline nature, the fracture behavior of sapphire is strongly related to its crystal structure, and understanding the effects of crystal structure on the crack propagation of sapphire is essential for the successful application of this important material (e.g., as wafers in the electronics industry). In the ...