Instrumented micro-indentation of zirconia ceramics

Instrumented micro-indentation experiments are conducted with Vickers and spherical indenters in Y-TZP and two different Mg-PSZ ceramics. The load (P)-depth of penetration (h) curries from Vickers indentation can be fitted to P = Ch(n) with n similar to 1.8, It is shown that within the micro-indentation range, measurements of Young's modulus (E) can be conducted in zirconia ceramics using sharp indenters, and that the results are consistent with those from spherical indentation. Quantification of piling-up and sinking-in is accomplished from P-h curves. Results from finite clement computations are used to assess pressure sensitivity and plastic-hardening coefficient front indentation experiments.