Development and validation of ball indentation technique to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials

Abstract

The effectiveness of the ball indentation technique (BIT) has been established and validated with conventional test results for few materials. The design and experimental parameters of BI experimentation in the laboratory scale have been optimized. Software was developed, one for analyzing the BI test results and another for experimentation of BI test. The yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), strain hardening exponent (n), hardness (HB) and strength coefficient (K) values have been determined for all the tested materials through BIT. The loading rate has been fixed at 0.05 - 2 mm/min and diameter of the indenting ball was kept as 1.0 - 2.0 mm. The indentation diameters were measured both through LVDT displacement and direct optical microscope after interrupting the test at each loading. The BI test results have been verified with the conventional mechanical test results.