Indentation , rate

Images like these reveal that the recovery after 24 h for HDPE is substantial however, complete recovery is not observed [74], Interestingly, the dynamics of the recovery depends on the indentation rate, but not the magnitude of the applied load, which points at viscoelastic processes that play an important role in particular low loading rates (Fig. 4.26). 

A hardness indentation causes both elastic and plastic deformations which activate certain strengthening mechanisms in metals. Dislocations created by the deformation result in strain hardening of metals. Thus the indentation hardness test, which is a measure of resistance to deformation, is affected by the rate of strain hardening. 

Two particular test methods have become very widely used. They are the Vicat softening point test (VSP test) and the heat deflection temperature under load test (HDT test) (which is also widely known by the earlier name of heat distortion temperature test). In the Vicat test a sample of the plastics material is heated at a specified rate of temperature increase and the temperature is noted at which a needle of specified dimensions indents into the material a specified distance under a specified load. In the most common method (method A) a load of ION is used, the needle indentor has a cross-sectional area of 1 mm, the specified penetration distance is 1 mm and the rate of temperature rise is 50°C per hour. For details see the relevant standards (ISO 306 BS 2782 method 120 ASTM D1525 and DIN 53460). (ISO 306 describes two methods, method A with a load of ION and method B with a load of SON, each with two possible rates of temperature rise, 50°C/h and 120°C/h. This results in ISO values quoted as A50, A120, B50 or B120. Many of the results quoted in this book predate the ISO standard and unless otherwise stated may be assumed to correspond to A50.)... 

An important aspect concerning the surface indentation mechanism is the creep effect shown by polymeric materials i.e. the time dependent part of the plastic deformation of the polymer surface under the stress of the indenter14-16. The creep curves are characterized by a decreasing strain rate, which can be described by a time law of the form... 

It is customary when evaluating plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride to compare them at concentrations which produce a standard apparent modulus in tension, as measured at room temperature. Since the stress-strain relationship is generally nonlinear it is necessary to specify a given point on the stress-strain curve as well as the rate of loading or straining. The efficiency may be expressed as the concentration of a given plasticizer necessary to produce this standaid modulus. Other properties, e g., indentation hardness, may take the place of tensile modulus. 

The fiber modulus and matrix shear modulus are also required for the analysis. The fiber s coordinates are recorded directly from the stage controllers to the computer. The operator begins the test from the keyboard. The x and y stages move the fiber end to a position directly under the debonder tip the z stage then moves the sample surface to within 4 yum of the tip. The z-stage approach is slowed down to 0.04 jan/step at a rate of 6 steps/s. The balance readout is monitored, at a load of 2 g the loading is stopped, and the fiber end returned to the field of view of the camera. The location of the indent is noted and corrections are made, if necessary, to center the point of contact. Loading is then continued from 4 g in approximately 1 g increments. Debond is determined to have occurred when an interfacial crack is visible for 90-120° on the fiber perimeter. The load at which this occurs is used to calculate the interfacial shear stress at debond. 

When the experimentalist set an ambitious objective to evaluate micromechanical properties quantitatively, he will predictably encounter a few fundamental problems. At first, the continuum description which is usually used in contact mechanics might be not applicable for contact areas as small as 1 -10 nm [116,117]. Secondly, since most of the polymers demonstrate a combination of elastic and viscous behaviour, an appropriate model is required to derive the contact area and the stress field upon indentation a viscoelastic and adhesive sample [116,120]. In this case, the duration of the contact and the scanning rate are not unimportant parameters. Moreover, bending of the cantilever results in a complicated motion of the tip including compression, shear and friction effects [131,132]. Third, plastic or inelastic deformation has to be taken into account in data interpretation. Concerning experimental conditions, the most important is to perform a set of calibrations procedures which includes the (x,y,z) calibration of the piezoelectric transducers, the determination of the spring constants of the cantilever, and the evaluation of the tip shape. The experimentalist has to eliminate surface contamination s and be certain about the chemical composition of the tip and the sample. 

Again there are examples from physical measurements that demonstrate how traceability can be achieved. There is no SI unit for hardness but there is a well-established traceability system for the results of hardness measurements. Hardness scales, e.g. Brunei or Rockwell, are defined in terms of the properties of the machines used to measure the hardness. The properties defined include the shape of the indenter, the applied load and the rate of application of the load together with the tolerances on the properties. Thus utilising a machine that meets these defined properties provides the traceability for the results obtained using it. However it is a difficult task to keep monitoring the properties of the machines and reference materials are used in the form of hardness blocks whose hardness has been measured at a standards laboratory on a machine with very well defined and monitored properties. 

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