Sharp Indenter Research Articles

An Instrumented Sharp Indentation Method for Measuring Equibiaxial Residual Stress without Using Stress-Free Specimens

An Instrumented Sharp Indentation Method for Measuring Equibiaxial Residual Stress without Using Stress-Free Specimens

Determination of uniaxial creep properties using equivalent factors by sharp indentation

The uniaxial creep properties, including the creep coefficient and stress exponent, are crucial to characterize the creep behavior of materials. Instrumented sharp indentation test (ISIT) is a non-destructive technique to characterize the uniaxial creep properties using the stress equivalent factor and strain rate equivalent factor. However, the strain hardening exponent of tested material is ignored in the contact model, leading to inaccurate estimation of uniaxial creep coefficient. Based on finite element simulations, the effects of the strain hardening exponent on equivalent factors were investigated. The relationships between the equivalent factors, the strain hardening exponent, and the yield strain were established. Indentation and uniaxial tests on Pb95Sn5 and Sn99Cu1 were conducted to validate the established equivalent factors. Then those factors were used to determine the uniaxial creep coefficient of Pb95Sn5 and Sn99Cu1 by ISIT. This work demonstrates the feasibility of measuring uniaxial creep properties of work hardened material by ISIT.

Simulating irregular symmetry breaking in gut cross sections using a novel energy-optimization approach in growth-elasticity

Growth-elasticity (also known as morphoelasticity) is a powerful model framework for understanding complex shape development in soft biological tissues. At each instant, by mapping how continuum building blocks have grown geometrically and how they respond elastically to the push-and-pull from their neighbors, the shape of the growing structure is determined from a state of mechanical equilibrium. As mechanical loads continue to be added to the system through growth, many interesting shapes, such as smooth wavy wrinkles, sharp creases, and deep folds, can form on the tissue surface from a relatively flatter geometry.Previous numerical simulations of growth-elasticity have reproduced many interesting shapes resembling those observed in reality, such as the foldings on mammalian brains and guts. In the case of mammalian guts, it has been shown that wavy wrinkles, deep folds, and sharp creases on the interior organ surface can be simulated even under a simple assumption of isotropic uniform growth in the interior layer of the organ. Interestingly, the simulated patterns are all regular along the tube’s circumference, with either all smooth or all sharp indentations, whereas some undulation patterns in reality exhibit irregular patterns and a mixture of sharp creases and smooth indentations along the circumference. Can we simulate irregular indentation patterns without further complicating the growth patterning?In this paper, we have discovered abundant shape solutions with irregular indentation patterns by developing a Rayleigh–Ritz finite-element method (FEM). In contrast to previous Galerkin FEMs, which solve the weak formulation of the mechanical-equilibrium equations, the new method formulates an optimization problem for the discretized energy functional, whose critical points are equivalent to solutions obtained by solving the mechanical-equilibrium equations. This new method is more robust than previous methods. Specifically, it does not require the initial guess to be near a solution to achieve convergence, and it allows control over the direction of numerical iterates across the energy landscape. This approach enables the capture of more solutions that cannot be easily reached by previous methods. In addition to the previously found regular smooth and non-smooth configurations, we have identified a new transitional irregular smooth shape, new shapes with a mixture of smooth and non-smooth surface indentations, and a variety of irregular patterns with different numbers of creases. Our numerical results demonstrate that growth-elasticity modeling can match more shape patterns observed in reality than previously thought.

Edge-selective reconfiguration in polarized lattices with magnet-enabled bistability

The signature topological feature of Maxwell lattices is their polarization, which manifests as an unbalance in stiffness between opposite edges of a finite domain. The manifestation of this asymmetry is especially dramatic in the case of soft lattices undergoing large nonlinear deformation under concentrated loads, where the excess of softness at the soft edge can result in the activation of sharp indentations. This study explores how this mechanical dichotomy between edges can be tuned and possibly extremized by working with soft magneto-mechanical metamaterials. The magneto-mechanical coupling is obtained by endowing the lattice sites with permanent magnets, which activate a network of magnetic forces that can interact with – either augmenting or competing with – the elasticity of the material. Specifically, under sufficiently large deformation that macroscopically alters the equilibrium positions of the sites, the attractive forces between the magnets can trigger bistable reconfiguration mechanisms. The strength of such mechanisms depends on the landscapes of elastic reaction forces exhibited by the edges, which are different due to the polarization, and is therefore inherently edge-selective. We show that, on the soft edge, the addition of magnets simply enhances the softness of the edge. In contrast, on the stiff edge, the magnets activate snapping mechanisms that locally reconfigure the cells and produce a lattice response reminiscent of plasticity, characterized by residual deformation that persists upon unloading.

A Correction Function to Improve the Accuracy of Measuring Elastic Modulus by Instrumented Spherical Indentation

Abstract Instrumented indentation combined with the classic Oliver–Pharr method has been widely utilized to measure elastic modulus of various materials. However, the elastic modulus measured by instrumented spherical indentation (ISI) is not as accurate as that measured by instrumented sharp indentation, especially at large indentation depth. In this work, the effect of the maximum indentation depth on measurement of elastic modulus by ISI was deeply investigated through finite element simulations and experiments. It was found that errors in measured elastic moduli increase significantly due to the inaccurate estimation of contact radius and excessive increase in initial unloading stiffness as maximum indentation depth increases. A correction function was then proposed to correct the measured elastic modulus. After correction, the errors were effectively reduced to within ±5 % for most cases. This work contributes to discovery of the error source in the measurement of elastic modulus by ISI, thereby improving the measurement accuracy.

Effects of moisture absorption on penetration performance of FRP sandwich structures

Fiber-reinforced plastic sandwich structures (FRPSSs) are increasingly used in marine applications thanks to their high levels of stiffness, lightweight, buoyancy and damage resistance to penetration and impacts. This paper investigates the effect of exposure to seawater conditions on mechanical behavior of FRPSSs with various core configurations loaded with indenters with different geometries. A new in-situ acoustic emission (AE) methodology is applied to monitor the moisture evolution process, while X-ray micro-computed tomography validated its influence on out-of-plane failure modes observed in quasi-static indentation experiments. Results indicate that AE velocity can effectively monitor the moisture uptake, serving as an in situ structural health monitoring approach. It was also revealed that the core configuration had a limited effect on moisture ingress. Samples exposed to sharp indentation exhibited the greatest decrease in load-bearing capacity (in excess of 50% in some cases) while that for blunt indentation was the lowest. This can be explained by reduced penetration forces resulting from matrix plasticization and degraded matrix/fiber interface, exacerbated by a smaller contact area. Also, early damage initiation and intensified damage progression were observed for sharp indenters after the seawater exposure. The core of FRPSSs significantly influenced localized damage in samples indented with conical and flat indenters, unlike those subjected to hemispherical ones. The seawater exposure adversely affected the energy absorption and penetration performance, enhancing macroscale damage mechanisms. These findings offer valuable insights for design and optimization of FRPSSs for marine applications.

A new nanometre resolution method for probing densification ratio at nanoindentation sites in glass: Unravelling discrepancies in the literature

The region of permanent densification beneath a Berkovich indentation imprint in silica glass is investigated using a novel chemical dissolution technique. The use of the similitude regime in sharp indentation testing allows one to record reliable data with a good spatial resolution that makes it possible to deal with low loads (typically below 10 mN) and, more importantly, crack-free imprints. The densified zone dissolves more quickly than the non densified regions. The analysis of the results, along the vertical axis, indicates that the densification zone is rather homogeneous with a steep transition to the non densified zone. The size of the densification zone, with respect to the initial free surface, is estimated to be around two times the maximum penetration depth of the instrumented indentation test. These findings are compared with those obtained by numerical simulations using different constitutive equations from the literature. A very good concordance between Raman spectroscopy and chemical probe results is found for imprints made with no or few cracking events during indentation testing.

Fatigue crack growth of WC–Co cemented carbides: a comparative study using small indentation flaws and long through-thickness cracks

The fatigue crack growth behavior of a submicron-grained WC–Co hardmetal is investigated by artificially introducing small flaws by means of sharp indentation. Similar fatigue testing is also conducted on notched specimens with long through-thickness cracks for comparison purposes. The use of controlled small indentations flaws is shown to be a valid and successful approach for studying and describing crack growth behavior under cyclic loading for the material under consideration. This statement is based on the similitude found in fatigue mechanics and mechanisms between both crack types. Regarding the former, accounting of the indentation-induced residual stresses is key to rationalize the experimental findings. Concerning the latter, inspection of crack-microstructure interaction as well as fracture surfaces permit to discern similar features and scenarios, at both meso- and micrometric length scales. Results from this research yield an immediate practical implication, as indentation techniques may then be proposed as an alternative testing route for investigating fatigue crack growth behavior of hardmetal grades where sharp indentation is capable to induce well-developed radial crack systems.

Cracking behavior during scratching brittle materials with different-shaped indenters

The cracking behavior greatly influences the material removal and surface integrity during the abrasive machining of brittle materials. The abrasive machining can be simplified as a series of scratching by different-shaped indenters. In this paper, a scratch-induced stress field model is built to analyze the cracking behavior during scratching brittle materials. The model considers conical, pyramidal, and spherical (CPS) indenters and correlates the scratch-induced principal stress with workpiece material properties, indenter geometries, and scratch behavior parameters (e.g., scratch normal load, tangential load, friction coefficient, scratch depth). With the model, the effects of scratch depth and indenter geometries on the scratch behavior and cracking behavior are investigated. The results show that the scratch load decreases when a sharper indenter or a spherical indenter with a smaller radius is used. The larger the scratch depth, the easier it is for radial, median, and lateral (RML) cracks to initiate. There is an optimal indenter half-apex angle at which it is most difficult to initiate radial and median cracks. The lateral crack easily initiates when the indenter becomes sharp. The initiation position of radial crack changes from being in front of the indenter to being behind it as the scratch depth increases or the half-apex angle decreases. The propagation angle of radial crack decreases, while that of median crack increases with an increase in scratch depth. The sizes of RML cracks increase with an increasing scratch depth or half-apex angle. Finally, the model is validated through scratching experiments on fused silica using CPS indenters and by referencing previous research. It demonstrates that the model can accurately determine the sizes of RML cracks, with an average relative error of less than 11%. This research provides guidance on selecting suitable process parameters or indenter geometries to increase the material removal rate and mitigate the crack damage during the abrasive machining of brittle materials.

Inferring mechanical properties of the SARS-CoV-2 virus particle with nano-indentation tests and numerical simulations

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has claimed more than 6.5 million lives worldwide. This global challenge has led to accelerated development of highly effective vaccines tied to their ability to elicit a sustained immune response. While numerous studies have focused primarily on the spike (S) protein, less is known about the interior of the virus. Here we propose a methodology that combines several experimental and simulation techniques to elucidate the internal structure and mechanical properties of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The mechanical response of the virus was analyzed by nanoindentation tests using a novel flat indenter and evaluated in comparison to a conventional sharp tip indentation. The elastic properties of the viral membrane were estimated by analytical solutions, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on a membrane patch and by a 3D Finite Element (FE)-beam model of the virion's spike protein and membrane molecular structure. The FE-based inverse engineering approach provided a reasonable reproduction of the mechanical response of the virus from the sharp tip indentation and was successfully verified against the flat tip indentation results. The elastic modulus of the viral membrane was estimated in the range of 7–20 MPa. MD simulations showed that the presence of proteins significantly reduces the fracture strength of the membrane patch. However, FE simulations revealed an overall high fracture strength of the virus, with a mechanical behavior similar to the highly ductile behavior of engineering metallic materials. The failure mechanics of the membrane during sharp tip indentation includes progressive damage combined with localized collapse of the membrane due to severe bending. Furthermore, the results support the hypothesis of a close association of the long membrane proteins (M) with membrane-bound hexagonally packed ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). Beyond improved understanding of coronavirus structure, the present findings offer a knowledge base for the development of novel prevention and treatment methods that are independent of the immune system.

Lower hardness than strength: The auxetic composite microstructure of limpet tooth.

The limpet tooth is widely recognized as nature's strongest material, with reported strength values up to 6.5 GPa. Recently, microscale auxeticity has been discovered in the leading part of the tooth, providing a possible explanation for this extreme strength. Utilizing micromechanical experiments, we find hardness values in nanoindentation that are lower than the respective strength observed in micropillar compression tests. Using micromechanical modeling, we show that this unique behavior is a result of local tensile strains during indentation, originating from the microscale auxeticity. As the limpet tooth lacks ductility, these tensile strains lead to microdamage in the auxetic regions of the microstructure. Consequently, indentation with a sharp indenter always probes a damaged version of the material, explaining the lower hardness and modulus values gained from nanoindentation. Micropillar tests were found to be mostly insensitive to such microdamage due to the lower applied strain and are therefore the suggested method for characterizing auxetic nanocomposites. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work explores the micromechanical properties of limpet teeth, nature's strongest biomaterial, using micropillar compression testing and nanoindentation. The limpet tooth microstructure consists of ceramic nanorods embedded in a matrix of amorphous SiO2 and arranged in a pattern that leads to local auxetic behavior. We report lower values for nanoindentation hardness than for compressive strength, a unique behavior usually not achievable in conventional materials. Utilizing micromechanical finite element simulations, we identify the reason for this behavior to be microdamage formation resultant of the auxetic behavior, sharp indenter tip and lack of ductility of the limpet tooth microstructure. This formation of microdamage is not expected in micropillar compression tests due to lower locally imposed strain.

Computed tomography imaging features to evaluate the severity of portal hypertension and predict the rebleeding risk after endoscopic treatment in cirrhotic patients with variceal hemorrhage

PurposeTo investigate the association of computed tomography (CT) imaging features and severity of portal hypertension (PH) and develop a nomogram to predict high-risk PH in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage (GVH). MethodsThe study retrospectively enrolled 158 cirrhotic patients with a history of endoscopic treatment for GVH. Hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) was measured and the patients were classified into high-risk (HVPG > 16 mmHg) or low-risk (HVPG ≤ 16 mmHg) PH group. Pre-treatment CT features, including cavernous transformation of portal vein (CTPV), hilar periportal space (a distance between right portal vein and posterior edge of segment IV of the liver), and depth of right posterior hepatic notch sign (a sharp indentation in the right medial posterior liver surface), were evaluated. Risk factors associated with high-risk PH were analyzed, and a nomogram based on the imaging features was developed. ResultsHigh-risk PH group showed a higher rebleeding rate after treatment than that of the low-risk (P = 0.029). Multivariate analysis indicated that larger hilar periportal space (P < 0.001), less frequencies of CTPV (P = 0.044) and deeper right posterior hepatic notch (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with high-risk PH. A nomogram based on the three CT imaging features was established to predict high-risk PH with an excellent discrimination (c-statistic 0.854). ConclusionThe nomogram based on CT features of hilar periportal space, depth of right posterior hepatic notch and CTPV can help to distinguish cirrhotic patients with high-risk PH, who are more vulnerable of variceal rebleeding after endoscopic treatment.

Characteristic material behaviors in conical indentation with friction

AbstractCharacteristic material behaviors in obtuse‐angled conical indentation for elasto‐viscoplastic solids are explored and discussed. Finite element calculations are carried out for indentation of a rigid sharp conical indenter into a cylindrical body that models a pseudo‐half space, considering the friction between the indenter and the solid. Under low‐friction conditions, it is assumed that breakage of the material by the sharp tip of the indenter occurs and a new surface emerges along the contact interface during indentation. It is revealed that the load required for indentation does not necessarily reach its maximum at the perfect sticking condition, which shows a nonlinear variation from the frictionless condition to the perfect sticking condition. The increase in strain hardening and the decrease in elastic modulus relative to yield strength both reduce the difference between the required loads for different friction conditions. For perfect sticking, the indenter tip is covered by an elastically deforming material cap during indentation similarly to the case of the plane strain wedge indentation. Similarity and discrepancy between the behavior in the conical indentation and that in the plane strain wedge indentation, which is well described by the classical slip‐line field theory, are clarified in detail.

A novel model for obtaining both equi-biaxial and uniaxial residual stress of metallic materials by instrumented sharp indentation

As a new method, the indentation technique has become popular for measuring residual stress and mechanical properties at surfaces due to its simplicity of use, in-situ applicability, and nano-to-macro range of measurements. In this study, a novel model for obtaining the surface residual stress of metallic materials is proposed by instrumented sharp indentation. The metallic material containing surface residual stress is equivalent to another non-stressed material with a different yield stress in Hollomon law from the perspective of indentation response. Thus, a unified equivalent material indentation (UEMI) model is established for measuring both equi-biaxial and uniaxial residual stresses within metallic structural materials. Additionally, only five parameters need to be calibrated via finite element analysis (FEA) in this model. Moreover, the novel model is successfully verified using lots of simulated materials from FEA and seven metallic materials experimental data found in the references. The results show that the predicted residual stress agrees well with the pre-applied residual stress which meeting the needs of engineering.

Evaluation of equibiaxial residual stress in metallic materials using the loading work of instrumented sharp indentation

<p indent="0mm">Residual stresses can significantly influence the mechanical performance of engineering structures. Therefore, the accurate evaluation of the equibiaxial residual stress in such structures is of great value. In the present work, the fractional change in the loading work was chosen as the analytical parameter. A linear relationship between the fractional change in the loading work and the normalized equibiaxial residual stress was determined via dimensional and finite element analyses. Based on numerous finite element simulations, new fitting equations were obtained for evaluating the equibiaxial residual stress by instrumented sharp indentation. Both numerical and experimental verifications were used to examine the accuracy and reliability of the newly proposed method. A biaxial stress-generating jig was designed to introduce equibiaxial residual stress into metallic specimens to mimic the residual stress. By comparing the residual stresses determined by the proposed method with the generated pre-stresses, the maximum relative error and absolute error were typically found within ±20% and <sc>30 MPa,</sc> respectively.

A unified sharp indentation method for obtaining stress-strain relations, strength and Vickers hardness of ductile metallic materials

Combining dimensional analysis and the definition of Vickers hardness (HV), an integrated prediction model (IPM) for determining the stress-strain relation, strength and Vickers hardness of ductile metallic material is established. The dimensionless functions in the model are determined by using finite element analysis (FEA). The accuracy of the model predicted load-depth relations, Vickers hardness and stress-strain relations are verified within a wide range of imaginary materials via FEA. Moreover, on the basis of the experimental sharp indentation load-depth data for 10 ductile metallic materials from the references, the stress-strain relations, ultimate tensile strength and Vickers hardness of the materials, which predicted by IPM are similar to the uniaxial tensile or hardness testing results. Likewise, the simulated load-depth relations agree well with the sharp indentation experiments results.

Effect of Coating Thickness on Wear Behaviour of Monolithic Ni-P and Ni-P-NiTi Composite Coatings

Protective coatings can prolong the lifespan of engineering components. Electroless Ni-P coating is a very hard coating with high corrosion resistance, but low toughness. The addition of NiTi nanoparticles into the coating has shown the potential to increase the toughness of electroless Ni-P and could expand its usability as a protective coating for more applications. However, the study of the tribological behaviour and wear mechanisms of Ni-P-NiTi composite coating has been minimal. Furthermore, there is no studies on the effect of coating thickness on monolithic and composite electroless Ni-P coating wear behaviour. The wear rates of each coating were found by measuring the volume loss form multi-pass wear tests. The wear tracks were examine using a confocal microscope to observe the wear mechanisms. Each sample was tested using a spherical indenter and sharp indenter. It was found that the NiTi nanoparticle addition displayed toughening mechanisms and did improve the coating’s wear resistance. The 9 μm thick Ni-P-NiTi coating had less cracking and more uniform wear than the 9 μm thick Ni-P coating. For both the monolithic and composite coatings, their thicker version had higher wear resistance than their thinner counterpart. This was explained by the often observed trend in coatings where it has higher tensile stress near the substrate interface, which decreases and becomes compressive as thickness increases. Overall, the 9 μm thick Ni-P-NiTi coating had the highest wear resistance out of all the coatings tested.

Determination of elastoplastic properties in anisotropic materials with cubic symmetry by instrumented indentation

Multi-dimensional finite element modelings of instrumented sharp indentation on materials with cubic symmetry are conducted. A novel reverse analysis algorithm for identifying elastoplastic properties is established for the cubic material, while the anisotropy of the material is determined by indentations on distinct orientations. Influences of elastic anisotropy and anisotropic yielding behavior are considered with the help of three-dimensional computations. Sensitivity analysis confirms the accuracy and robustness of the new method. The obtained results are compared and verified with experimental data of a nickel-base single crystal alloy.

Electron Microscopy and Elemental Analysis of Defective Drysdale Nucleus Manipulator Instruments Implicated in Surgical Complications

To analyze microtopography of 5 reusable Drysdale nucleus manipulator (DNM) paddled tips for sharp defects and evaluate their elemental composition to determine probable source, investigating 2 instruments (DNM 1 and 4) implicated in causing posterior capsule rupture (PCR) and 3 instruments with sharp edges identified by finger-tip interrogation intraoperatively. Experimental laboratory investigation. DNM paddled tips were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate for sharp surface defects (number, dimensions), and subsequently energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) performed on sharp defects to determine their elemental composition. All reused DNMs analyzed (5 of 5) had significant structural defects on SEM analysis including sharp burrs, cavities and indentations, surface debris or residues, and roughening, compared to the new instrument (DNM 3, control) which had no defects. DNM 1 had 2 sharp defects, a larger 14×76-µm one and a craterlike 167×220-µm defect containing debris. EDS found that DNM 2 had 3 of 4 burrs composed mainly of carbon, the fourth of mixed composition (calcium, sulfur, oxygen); DNM 4 had 1 small burr, EDS significant for carbon; DNM 5 had 3 prominent burrs, the largest of 20×28 µm, 2 composed of aluminum, and some carbon residue. DNM 6 had 1 burr composed of aluminum and 3 prominent cavity defects, the largest covering 781 µm2. Reusable DNMs are widely used in cataract surgery. Sharp carbon- or aluminum-containing burrs were detected on all reused instruments analyzed together with 1 burr of mixed composition, originating from (1) organic residues, (2) instrument fragments, or (3) salt and contaminant deposits. Sharp defects may contribute to capsular damage including PCR, and residues may pose other safety concerns. Therefore, we support development of a quality, reliable single-use alternative instrument and further encourage careful inspection of all reusable instruments principally by finger-tip interrogation for sharp edges preuse.

A novel combined dual-conical indentation model for determining plastic properties of metallic materials

Based on the equivalent energy principle (EEP), an explicit theoretical model between conical indentation response and uniaxial mechanical parameters is derived. In order to avoid the defect that sharp indentation technique always requires at least two indenters to penetrate different positions successively and the compatibility between the indentation points, an energy-based combined dual-conical indentation (CDI) model is created by using a novel combined indenter with dual conical surfaces. A typical piecewise load-depth curve is observed during the combined dual-conical indentation and two characteristic loading curvatures are respectively acquired from the single penetration response. Numerical verifications for the novel method are conducted by finite element analysis (FEA) within a large range of elastic–plastic materials. For six kinds of metallic materials, based on the stable load-depth curves obtained by the combined indentation tests, the uniaxial stress–strain curves as well as the yield stress, strain hardening exponent and tensile strength are predicted by CDI model. The results show that the predictions of CDI method are consistent with those from uniaxial tension. The novel method is expected to be more convenient for mechanical testing and evaluation of materials or structures.