Anelastic indentation recovery of bioglass at room temperature

Using the microindentation technique, micro-indentations were made on bioglass 45S5 by a spherical diamond indenter for the indentation loads in the range of 50–500 mN at room temperature. Complete anelastic recoveries of the indentation depths and the impression marks were observed for the first time. The recovery rate of the indentation depth decreased with increasing the indentation load. A phenomenological model was proposed to explain the indentation recovery. It found that the recovery rate of the indentation depth was a power-function of the indentation load as supported by the experimental results.