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Elastic modulus determined by Hertzian indentation

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Abstract

A new method for determining the elastic modulus from Hertzian contact experiments has been developed. The test surfaces are polished and coated with a thin layer of gold/palladium and then indented with a small sphere. The contact removes the coating from the contact area and the size of this can, therefore, be readily measured in an optical microscope. A simple analysis based on Hertz equations is then used to derive the modulus. The elastic modulus of glass and several ceramics is reported.

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Zeng, K., Breder, K., Rowcliffe, D.J. et al. Elastic modulus determined by Hertzian indentation. J Mater Sci 27, 3789–3792 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00545457

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00545457

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