Abstract
The effects of power-law plasticity (yield strength σ_yand strain hardening exponent n) on the plastic strain distribution underneath a Vickers indenter was explicitly investigated by recourse to macro- and micro-indentation experiments on heat-treated Al-Zn-Mg alloy. With carefully designed aging profile, Al alloy can achieve similar σ_y, with different n, and vice versa. Using the Vickers tip, the samples were macro-indented, sectioned and micro-indented to construct the sub-surface strain distribution. Thus, the effects of σ_y and n on stain distribution underneath Vickers indenter were revealed.
