Finite Element Simulation of Nano-indentation of DLC Coated HSS Substrate

Abstract

Surface coatings like diamond like carbon (DLC) films provide excellent surface properties on substrate. By using technique like finite element simulation, the coating performance under load can be estimated and thus provided valuable information, for the design and the use of coatings for different applications. Aim of present study was to model and simulate nanoindentation process on DLC coated high speed steel (HSS) by finite element method and to compare its results with experimental nanoindentation results. A two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) axisymmetric model was modeled/meshed in HYERMESH and analyzed in ANSYS software. The indenter was modeled as rigid body of diamond material. The models have the ability to simulate the loading-unloading curves and the development of plastic deformation during indentation. Developed load-displacement curve from FE models are compared with load-displacement curves measured by the experiments. The FE simulation results show that they are in good agreement with the experiment results.