Abstract

In the last years, Nanoindentation or Instrumented Indentation Technique has become a powerful tool to study the mechanical properties at micro/nanometric scale (commonly known as hardness, elastic modulus and the stress-strain curve). In this review, the different contact mechanisms (elastic and elasto-plastic) are discussed, the recent patents for each mechanism (elastic and elasto-plastic) are summarized in detail, and the basic equations employed to know the mechanical behaviour for brittle and ductile materials are described.

Keywords: Contact Mechanics, Nanometric Scale, Nanoindentation Technique, brittle materials, ductile materials, Microindentation, Macroindentation, Elastic Regimen, Elastic-to-Plastic Regimen, Indenter Employed, Indenter Shape, Sink-in Effects, elastic modulus, stress-strain curve), Dimensionless Factor