NANOSCOPIC HARDNESS MEASUREMENT BY ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPE

Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) can be used for atomic-scale imaging a nd nanofabrication, Taking advantage of this we developed a nanoindent ation technique. Hardness measurements were carried out on cementite-s pheroidized S 25 C carbon steel (Vickers hardness Hv=128) and 400 degr ees C-tempered SNCM 439 low alloy steel (H-v=414), using a cantilever with a three-sided pyramidal diamond tip. The depth of indentations cr eated was between 14 and 330 nm. The difference in hardness between S 25 C and SNCM 439 steels was detected in the nanoscopic region. From t hese results, it was concluded that nanoindentation was realized with AFM.