Procedure of the multiple indentations for determination of the hardness parameters of structurally heterogeneous materials

摘要

A procedure of multiple indentations has been proposed as a promising method of studying surface properties of structurally heterogeneous bodies. It has been shown that this procedure is applicable to a wide spectrum of multiphase (including superhard) materials, ceramics, and metals and makes it possible to assess mean properties of separate phases and a composite as a whole as well as a degree of the sample hardness inhomogeneity at various scale levels. Such information is important in prediction of the wear and machinability of structurally heterogeneous materials. Experimental and model results that verify the efficiency of the procedure have been presented.