Abstract
The fundamental characteristics of three-dimensional indentation are gained under three primary assumptions founded in the case of two-dimensional indentation. An analysis of the indentation on the material with single surface film is derived from the relationship between the above-mentioned characteristics and the load-depth curve. Hence, the good agreement between the analysis and the experiment of the indentation depends upon adapting the representative strain, especially from the view point of the mean pressure and the plastically deformed region. The value of the hardness has a close relationship to the resisting stress near the surface of the indent. The three processes are obtained by indenting on the material with the plated film; in the first process, deformation only in the plated film; next, the obstruction of the deformation on the boundary; and lastly the total deformation. both in the plated film and In the substrate material. These experimental results are consistent with the theoretical indenting deformation.
