A continuum dislocation model of Vickers indentation on a zirconia

The Vickers indentation of 3 mol% Y2O5 partially stabilized ZrO2 (3Y-PSZ) w as examined by a depth sensing technique and analyzed on a continuum disloc ation model. The model is based on the punching of prismatic dislocation lo ops to accommodate the volume of plastic penetration at the prismatic inden tation. A procedure is proposed for solving an inverse problem to estimate the plastic core zone configuration and yield stress in the indentation of brittle materials using the information obtained from the experimental inde ntation curve of the material. It was found that there are an infinite numb er of solutions as a function of the plastic zone configuration. The most a ppropriate solution was obtained by comparing the predicted profiles of the indentation with the profile observed by a topographic scanning electron m icroscope. The estimated plastic zone configuration and yield stress show r easonable agreement with experimental data of Y-PSZ in the literature. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.