Recent Advances in Indentation Techniques and Their Application to Mechanical Characterization

Abstract

This paper presents the current research trends in indentation techniques, especially on the micro- and nanoscales, and the application of such techniques for the mechanical characterization of various materials. The survey was carried out based on the special issue of Materials Transactions (Vol. 60, No. 8), published in August 2019. The indentation techniques have diversified, and they have been implemented in instrumentation specialized for in situ measurements, environmental control including elevated temperatures, and mechanical property evaluation of soft materials. These techniques can also be applied in a more fundamental manner to assist the physical modeling of plastic deformation and fracture. For each of the various topics, a brief introduction is given to the cutting-edge methods and novel approaches in characterization that offer opportunities for innovative developments in materials science.

Fig. 1 Trend of the decennial number of publications on indentation-related research since around 1900. (Data were used from Scopus on Nov. 2020).