In-plane deformation observation of indentation along indenter surface

Abstract

In this paper, the in-plane plastic deformation, which is perpendicular to the contacting load, of soft metal in contact with a hard spherical indenter is observed on a rolled aluminum surface. By measuring a displacement due to indentation of lattice points described on the aluminum surface, the in-plain deformation is obtained. Many small ferrous impurities are scattered on and in this aluminum specimen. When a hard spherical indenter is pressed onto this aluminum surface, the distance between impurities is changed by the surface plastic deformation. The change in distance between impurities is obtained using the image processing method, and it is demonstrated that the in-plane plastic deformation of surfaces caused by indentation can be observed. Results by both the lattice point method and the image processing method are compared quantitatively.