Identification of plastic hardening parameters of metals from spherical indentation tests

Using the two-parameter power hardening rule σ=kεpm, the parameters k and m are identified from spherical indentation loading–unloading tests which account for the variation of the indentation profile during elastic unloading and sphere deformation. The predicted and measured stress–strain curves are compared for several materials. Both experimental and actual data for 18G2A low-alloy steel are used to assess the accuracy of the identification procedure. Finally, identification of the stress–strain curve of an aluminium alloy is demonstrated.