Correlation between nanoindentation and tensile properties: Influence of the indentation size effect

The nanoindentation test has become one of the most broadly expanded techniques used to measure the mechanical properties in a sub-micron range. However, the interpretation of the data is very difficult due to the Indentation Size Effect (ISE). The ISE can be defined as an increase of the nanohardness by decreasing the indentation depth of the test. In the present work, the ISE of different metals has been studied by performing nanoindentation tests at different imposed depths. Furthermore, tensile tests of these materials have been carried out in order to determine empirical relations between the nanoindentation test results and the tensile properties.