Dynamic characteristics of solids in microvolumes: Modern principles, techniques, and results of investigation

Several radically new independent in situ techniques for characterizing phy sicomechanical properties of materials in microvolumes are described. In pa rticular, mechanisms behind the formation of an indent and the surrounding deformation zone were studied at a microlevel. With ionic crystals, it was demonstrated that indentation, followed by the formation of the deformation zone, passes the following stages: purely elastic deformation stage, the s tage of monoatomic displacement of a material from under the indenter; and a number of final stages where dislocation plasticity is essential. Kinetic , dissipative, and activation parameters of indentation were determined, an d basic mass transfer micromechanisms for each of the stages were elucidate d. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".