Novel techniques for nanomechanical characterization

Abstract

Due to increased resolution in experimental capabilities and the development of materials at small geometric and microstructural length scales, novel techniques for mechanical characterization at the micrometer and submicrometer length scale have been a major focus of many experimental and computational studies in recent years. Perhaps the most widely used nanomechanical characterization technique of the past 20 years is nanoindentation. Conventionally used to make elastic modulus and hardness measurements at depths at the nanometer length scale, this technique has been applied to thin fi lms and bulk structures of various material classes, from hard ceramics to biological tissues. New methodologies beyond nanoindentation have been developed in order to better mimic classical mechanical tests at the micrometer scale, specifi cally microtensile and microcompression testing. Furthermore, the development of coupling these micro-mechanical measurements to other characterization techniques applied at equivalent length scales has allowed a more comprehensive picture of deformation behavior of materials. It is not always clear, however, how such techniques can be appropriately applied to outstanding questions within the materials community. Sometimes a new technique becomes popular and is applied to problems without careful examination of the inherent artifacts of the method and the assumptions used in the subsequent analyses. In turn, it is important for the materials community to debate the applicability of such techNovel Techniques for Nanomechanical Characterization