Title: A comparison of 3D finite element simulations for Berkovich and conical indentation of fused silica

Authors: Sanghoon Shim, W.C. Oliver, G.M. Pharr

Addresses: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. ' MTS Systems Corporation, Nano Instruments Innovation Center, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA. ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA

Abstract: Much of our understanding of elastic-plastic contact mechanics as it relates to the interpretation of nanoindentation data comes from two-dimensional, axisymmetric finite element simulations of conical indentation. In many instances, conical results adequately describe real experimental results; however, there are instances where conical simulations fail to capture important behaviour. Three-dimensional finite element simulations of Berkovich triangular pyramidal indentation of fused silica are compared to similar simulations with a 70.3º cone. It is shown that a potentially significant difference between the two indenters exists for the contact areas and contact stiffnesses. Implications for the interpretation of nanoindentation data are discussed.

Keywords: nanoindentation; finite element analysis; FEA; fused silica; Berkovich indenter; conical indenter; contact area; contact stiffness; hardness; elastic modulus; elastic-plastic contact mechanics; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2007.015028

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2007 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.259 - 273

Published online: 05 Sep 2007 *

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