Abstract

A method of performing indentation plastometry is provided. The method includes steps of: providing a sample of a material and an indenter having a contact surface of a predetermined shape and size; forming a first indent having a first penetration depth within the sample by applying a load to press the contact surface of the indenter into the sample; measuring a first indent profile of the first indent; on the basis of the first indent profile, and the applied load to form the first indent, obtaining a preliminary measurement of a characteristic of the material; on the basis of the obtained preliminary measurement of the characteristic of the material, determining whether a second indent having a different, second penetration depth is required to obtain a more accurate measurement of the characteristic of the material, and when the second indent is required, determining a value for the second penetration depth; forming the second indent having the second penetration depth within the sample by applying a load to press the contact surface of the indenter into the sample; measuring a second indent profile of the second indent; and on the basis of the second indent profile, the applied load to form the second indent, obtaining the more accurate measurement of the characteristic of the material.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 3/44 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid the indentors being put under a minor load and a subsequent major load, i.e. Rockwell system

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 5/20 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
• G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
• G01N 3/42 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid

Abstract

A method of performing profilometry-based indentation plastometry, including: a measuring step of scanning a surface of a sample, the surface having an indentation formed therein, using a profilometer to obtain scanned data representing the shape of the scanned surface, a curvature correction step of correcting the scanned data by applying a transform function to obtain corrected data in which a curvature of the scanned surface represented in the scanned data is reduced in a first surface direction, and a determining step of determining a material characteristic of the sample using the corrected data. Also provided is: an apparatus for performing profilometry-based indentation plastometry; a computer program comprising code which, when the code is executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute a curvature correction process of correcting scanned data obtained from a profilometer; a computer readable medium storing the computer program; and a computer programmed to execute the computer program.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
• G01B 5/20 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
• G01N 3/42 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 3/42 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid

Abstract

A portable apparatus for performing indentation plastometry, the apparatus comprising: a cradle configured to receive a plurality of modules interchangeably, and a securing mechanism configured to mount the cradle relative to a sample body with respect to a testing surface of the sample body, the plurality of modules including: an indenter module comprising an indenter movable in a penetration direction for forming an indentation in the testing surface, and a profilometer module comprising a profilometer for measuring the testing surface. Also provided is a method of performing indentation plastometry using the portable apparatus. Also provided is a method of performing indentation plastometry on a sample material, the method including the steps of: forming an indentation in a testing surface of the sample material using an indenter, etching the testing surface, and performing an optical scan of the testing surface using an optical profilometer.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 3/42 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid

Abstract

A method of performing indentation plastometry is provided. The method includes steps of: providing a sample of a material and an indenter having a contact surface of a predetermined shape and size; forming a first indent having a first penetration depth within the sample by applying a load to press the contact surface of the indenter into the sample; measuring a first indent profile of the first indent; on the basis of the first indent profile, and the applied load to form the first indent, obtaining a preliminary measurement of a characteristic of the material; on the basis of the obtained preliminary measurement of the characteristic of the material, determining whether a second indent having a different, second penetration depth is required to obtain a more accurate measurement of the characteristic of the material, and when the second indent is required, determining a value for the second penetration depth; forming the second indent having the second penetration depth within the sample by applying a load to press the contact surface of the indenter into the sample; measuring a second indent profile of the second indent; and on the basis of the second indent profile, the applied load to form the second indent, obtaining the more accurate measurement of the characteristic of the material.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 3/42 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid
• G01N 3/44 - Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid the indentors being put under a minor load and a subsequent major load, i.e. Rockwell system