Indentation size effect in magnesium single crystals of different crystallographic orientations

Nanoindentation experiments are performed on magnesium single crystals of three different crystallographic orientations with the maximum penetration depth varied from 500 to 2500 nm. It has been observed that hardness, irrespective of the crystallographic orientation, decreases with increasing penetration depth showing indentation size effect (ISE). The difference in hardness among the different orientations is significant at low penetration depths but decreases with increasing penetration depth. Apart from ISE, the critical load for the first pop-in for different orientations has also been studied and rationalized using Schmid factor calculations.

Automated summary

Nanoindentation experiments were conducted on magnesium single crystals of different crystallographic orientations. It was observed that hardness decreased with increasing penetration depth, regardless of the crystallographic orientation, showing the indentation size effect. The difference in hardness between different orientations was significant at low penetration depths but decreased with increasing penetration depth. In addition to the indentation size effect, the critical load for the first pop-in for different orientations was also studied and rationalized using Schmid factor calculations.