Crystal Indentation Hardness

There is expanded interest in the long-standing subject of the hardness properties of materials. A major part of such interest is due to the advent of nanoindentation hardness testing systems which have made available orders of magnitude increases in load and displacement measuring capabilities achieved in a continuously recorded test procedure. The new results have been smoothly merged with other advances in conventional hardness testing and with parallel developments in improved model descriptions of both elastic contact mechanics and dislocation mechanisms operative in the understanding of crystal plasticity and fracturing behaviors. No crystal is either too soft or too hard to prevent the determination of its elastic, plastic and cracking properties under a suitable probing indenter. A sampling of the wealth of measurements and reported analyses associated with the topic on a wide variety of materials are presented in the current Special Issue

Viscosity of Household Fluids

This classroom module will help students understand the process of viscosity testing and the behaviors of fluids though experiments with household materials. The guide includes directions for two modules to be completed over two weeks of class time, including notes on the experiments and analysis of the experimental data for both weeks. Lesson background, lab safety, and reference information are also included, as well as reference data and evaluation questions for both the student and instructor. Students should have a basic background in materials science, including the concepts of viscosity and and rheological behavior.Â

Crystal Strengths at Micro- and Nano-Scale Dimensions

Higher strength levels, achieved for dimensionally-smaller micro- and nano-scale materials or material components, such as MEMS devices, are an important enabler of a broad range of present-day engineering devices and structures. Beyond such applications, there is an important effort to understand the dislocation mechanics basis for obtaining such improved strength properties. Four particular examples related to these issues are described in the present report: (1) a compilation of nano-indentation hardness measurements made on silicon crystals spanning nano- to micro-scale testing; (2) stress–strain measurements made on iron and steel materials at micro- to nano-crystal (grain size) dimensions; (3) assessment of small dislocation pile-ups relating to Griffith-type fracture stress vs. crack-size calculations for cleavage fracturing of α-iron; and (4) description of thermally-dependent strain rate sensitivities for grain size strengthening and weakening for macro- to micro- to nano-polycrystalline copper and nickel materials.https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst1002008

Crystal Strengths at Micro- and Nano-Scale Dimensions

Higher strength levels, achieved for dimensionally-smaller micro- and nano-scale materials or material components, such as MEMS devices, are an important enabler of a broad range of present-day engineering devices and structures. Beyond such applications, there is an important effort to understand the dislocation mechanics basis for obtaining such improved strength properties. Four particular examples related to these issues are described in the present report: (1) a compilation of nano-indentation hardness measurements made on silicon crystals spanning nano- to micro-scale testing; (2) stress–strain measurements made on iron and steel materials at micro- to nano-crystal (grain size) dimensions; (3) assessment of small dislocation pile-ups relating to Griffith-type fracture stress vs. crack-size calculations for cleavage fracturing of α-iron; and (4) description of thermally-dependent strain rate sensitivities for grain size strengthening and weakening for macro- to micro- to nano-polycrystalline copper and nickel materials

Dislocation Reaction Mechanism for Enhanced Strain Hardening in Crystal Nano-Indentations

Stress–strain calculations are presented for nano-indentations made in: (1) an ammonium perchlorate (AP), NH4ClO4, {210} crystal surface; (2) an α-iron (111) crystal surface; (3) a simulated test on an α-iron (100) crystal surface. In each case, the calculation of an exceptionally-enhanced plastic strain hardening, beyond that coming from the significant effect of small dislocation separations in the indentation deformation zone, is attributed to the formation of dislocation reaction obstacles hindering further dislocation movement. For the AP crystal, the exceptionally-high dislocation reaction-based strain hardening, relative to the elastic shear modulus, leads to (001) cleavage cracking in nano-, micro- and macro-indentations. For α-iron, the reaction of (a/2) <111> dislocations to form a [010] Burgers vector dislocation obstacles at designated {110} slip system intersections accounts for a higher strain hardening in both experimental and simulated nano-indentation test results. The α-iron stress–strain calculations are compared, both for the elastic deformation and plastic strain hardening of nano-indented (100) versus (111) crystal surfaces and include important observations derived from internally-tracked (a/2) <010> Burgers vector dislocation structures obtained in simulation studies. Additional comparisons are made between the α-iron calculations and other related strength properties reported either for bulk, micro-pillar, or additional simulated nano-crystal or heavily-drawn polycrystalline wire materials

Crystal Indentation Hardness

Dear Colleagues, Determinations of the indentation hardness properties of crystals have expanded to cover the full characterizations of their important elastic, plastic and cracking behaviors, particularly as accomplished with the increased measuring capabilities of nanoindentation hardness testing. No crystal structure of any bonding type is either too soft or too hard to prevent measurement with a suitable probing indenter. The current Special Issue is devoted to surveying the topic with emphasis given in a collection of reports to: (1) the diversity of crystals being tested; (2) the variety of measuring techniques; and (3) the wealth of information being obtained. Prof. Dr. Ron Armstrong Dr. Stephen Walley Prof. Dr. Wayne L. Elban Guest Editor

Vickers Microindentation Hardness Testing of Brazed Joints in Aluminium

This learning activity will provide an introduction to using Vickers microindentation hardness profiling for pre-fabricated aluminum joints. This exercise allows students to calibrate a Vickers microindentation hardness tester, to measure hardness profiles across, and to use computer software to plot the correlation between strength and hardness in the materials. This module is intended for upper-level and advanced undergraduates and can be done in three one-hour class periods. The document is available to download in PDF file format