New topics on nanoindentation of polymers and composite materials
Abstract
In this study, nanoindentation was used to determine Young's modulus of homogeneous plastic materials as well as inhomogeneous epoxy woven fabric composites using various indenters. In the first part, homogeneous PMMA and polycarbonate were characterized using conical and spherical indenters. The conventional approach of the inverse analysis was modified in order to account for effects obtained during spherical nanoindentation. The experimental results were verified using FEA analysis in ABAQUS. It was found that viscous effects were present in conical nanoindentations which led to an overestimation of contact stiffness. The second part, the response of carbon and glass fiber woven fabric epoxy composites was investigated using Berkovich and spherical indenters. Localized nanoindentation was performed using the Berkovich probe in both materials which led to determination of glass fibers and matrix stiffnesses. The anisotropic nature of the response was treated modifying the classical approach to calculate transverse modulus of a unidirectional composite. Finally, fiber volume ratios were calculated according to type of composite and indenter used.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering|Materials science
Recommended Citation
Martinez Hernandez, Ricardo, "New topics on nanoindentation of polymers and composite materials" (2013). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1540294.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1540294