Determination of creep parameters from indentation creep experiments

The possibilities of determining creep parameters for a simple Norton law material are explored from indentation creep testing. Using creep finite element analysis the creep indentation test technique is analyzed in terms of indentation rates at constant loads. Emphasis is placed on the relationships between the steady creep behavior of indentation systems and the creep property of the indented materials. The role of indenter geometry, size effects and macroscopic constraints is explicitly considered on indentation creep experiments. The influence of macroscopic constraints from the material systems becomes important when the size of the indenter is of the same order of magnitude as the size of the testing material. Two methods have been presented to assess the creep property of the indented material from the indentation experimental results on the single-phase-material and two-phase-material systems. The results contribute to a better mechanical understanding and extending the application of indentation creep testing.