Analysis of the nanoindentation load–displacement curves measured on high-purity fine-grained alumina

This paper conducted a preliminary examination on the effect of microstructural inhomogeneity on the reproducibility of the nanoindentation data. Nanoindentation tests were conducted on a high-purity, fine-grained alumina ceramic. It was found that the reproducibility of the nanoindentation data were somewhat poor. The nanoindentation data were then analyzed with the widely employed Oliver–Pharr method to yield the hardness, H, and the Young’s modulus, E. Large scatters were observed in the resultant H and E. These experimental findings revealed that microstructural inhomogeneity may play an important role in the material response to nanoindentation.