AN ELASTIC-PLASTIC INDENTATION MODEL AND ITS SOLUTIONS

An analytical model of hardness has been developed, Four major indenta tion tests, namely indentation by cones, wedges, spheres, and flat-end ed, axisymmetric cylinders have been analyzed based on the model. Anal ytical relationships among hardness, yield stress, elastic modulus, Po isson's ratio, and indenter geometries have been found. These results enable hardness to be calculated in terms of uniaxial material propert ies and indenter geometries for a wide variety of elastic and plastic materials. These relationships can also be used for evaluating other m echanical properties through hardness measurements and for converting hardness from one type of-hardness test into those of a different test . Comparison with experimental data and numerical calculations is exce llent.