Multiscale Modelling of Nanoindentation

摘要

Nanoindentation is an interesting technique used to probe the local mechanical properties of a material. Although this test has been widely used and developed over the world during the past few years, it remains a lot of uncertainties regarding the interpretation of nanoindentation data. In this study, we propose to simulate the nanoindentation test of FCC single crystals like Cu or Ni using three numerical models. At the lowest scale, molecular dynamics simulations give details of the nucleation of the first dislocations induced by the indentation. At an intermediate scale, discrete dislocation dynamics simulations are performed to study the evolution of the dislocation microstructure during the loading. Finally, at the upper scale, 3D finite element modelling using crystal plasticity constitutive equations give a continuum description of the indentation induced plasticity. It is shown how the different models are interconnected together.