An indenter tip of a known geometry is driven into the sample by applying an increasing load up to some preset value. The load is then gradually decreased until partial or complete relaxation of the sample has occurred. The load and displacement are recorded continuously throughout this process. From the resulting load displacement curve, the nano-mechanical properties of the sample such as hardness, Young’s modulus, stress-strain studies, time dependent creep measurement, fracture toughness, plastic & elastic energy can be calculated.

There are two nanoindentation instruments available at the lab.

CSM Nano Hardness Tester

Nanoindentation Tester on CSM Homepage

Hysitron TriboIndenter TI900

The TriboIndenter on the Hysitron Homepage

Examples

Scan of an indent

Indents in osteonal lamellae