New Insights into Nanoindentation-Based Adhesion Testing

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Manuel J. Pfeifenberger
  • J. Zechner
  • N.R. Moody
  • D. F. Bahr

Organisational units

External Organisational units

  • KAI - Kompetenzzentrum Automobil- und Industrieelektronik GmbH
  • Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science
  • Sandia National Laboratories (Retired), Livermore
  • School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University

Abstract

Nanoindentation, or instrumented indentation, is a versatile technique that is most often used to measure the elastic modulus and hardness of thin film systems. It can also be employed to measure thin film adhesion energies by producing well-defined areas of delamination. When combined with the proper mechanics-based model and characterization of the failing interfaces, nanoindentation-induced delamination is a powerful tool to quantify interfacial fracture. This article highlights new improvements to the technique that build off the work of Marshall and Evans in the 1980s. Indentation-induced delamination in systems with brittle films or substrates can be a balance between causing delamination and causing through-thickness or bulk fracture. Focused ion beam cross-sectioning and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to characterize failing interfaces, additional fracture events were observed in the load–displacement curves, and the adhesion energy was determined using not only symmetric, ideally shaped buckles, but also irregular-shaped and half-delaminated buckles.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2237-2245
Number of pages9
JournalJOM
Volume69.2017
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Aug 2017