Modeling of the cyclic ball indentation test for small specimens using the finite element method

Abstract

Cyclic ball indentation tests for Fe–Mn–Cu–C alloys with and without annealing treatments were simulated by finite element method (FEM) calculation using a 2D-axisymmetric model with a rigid surface indenter. When the friction between the indenter and the specimen was taken into account (friction coefficient is 0.3), the calculation gave a good simulation of the plastic deformation and true stress–plastic strain curve obtained from the actual indentation tests except for the stress decrease in a higher strain region. The stress decrease was not observed in the stress–strain curve from the simulation of the indentation test. The decrease in the experimental curves was explained well by the existence of the higher tensile region that was found in the stress distribution map from the FEM calculation.