Correlation of Global Quantities at Material Characterization of Pressure-Sensitive Materials Using Sharp Indentation Testing

Abstract

Correlation of sharp indentation problems is examined theoretically and numerically. The analysis focuses on elastic-plastic pressure-sensitive materials and especially the case when the local plastic zone is so large that elastic effects on the mean contact pressure will be small or negligible as is the case for engineering metals and alloys. The results from the theoretical analysis indicate that the effect from pressure-sensitivity and plastic strain-hardening are separable at correlation of hardness values. This is confirmed using finite element methods and closed-form formulas are presented representing a pressure-sensitive counterpart to the Tabor formula at von Mises plasticity. The situation for the relative contact area is more complicated as also discussed.

Keywords

• indentation hardness
• plastic contact
• contact area
• contact mechanics
• finite-element method