The correlation between indentation hardness and material properties with considering size effect

By using a two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element model, the indentation hardness has been studied with different combinations of material properties at different indentation depths. As the forward problem, the testing hardness is not only a function of material properties (E, σy, and n), indenter geometry (half apex angle, indenter shape), and friction, but also relating to the indentation depth. Based on the previous research on size effect, a model of correlation between several indentation experiment parameters (hardness H, maximum load P m, and loading curvature C) and material properties has been derived. From simulation results, a better fitting result is obtained by the established model. Furthermore, the characteristic length h^- in Nix/Gao model has been rewritten and discussed with material properties accordingly.