Open Access

ARTICLE

Computational Simulations of Micro-Indentation Tests Using Gradient Plasticity

Jian Chen¹, Huang Yuan², Folker H. Wittmann³
1 Current address: ALSTOM Power (Schweiz) AG,
CH-5401 Baden, Switzerland
2 Corresponding author.
Tel.: +49-89-1489 9294;
fax: +49-89-1489 2728;
E-mail: huang.yuan@muc.mtu.de.
Current address: MTU Aero Engines München,
D-80995 Munich, Germany
Lab. for Materials Behaviour,
Paul Scherrer Institute,
CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
3 Institute for Building Materials,
ETH Zürich, CH-8093
Zürich-Hönggerberg, Switzerland

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2002, 3(6), 743-754. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmes.2002.003.743

Abstract

Experimental observation confirms that micro-hardness of metallic materials depends significantly on the indentation depth. In the present paper we discuss simulations of micro-indentation tests based on the gradient plasticity model using the finite element method. The role of intrinsic material length parameters in the gradient plasticity model is investigated. The computational results confirm that the gradient plasticity model is suitable to simulate micro-indentation tests and predicts the depth-dependent hardness in micro- and nano-indentations. Variations of micro-hardness is correlated with the intrinsic material length parameters.

---

Keywords

Gradient-dependent plasticity, intrinsic material length, plastic strain gradients, size effects, micro-indentation, finite element method

---