Continuous stiffness measurement during instrumented indentation testing

ConclusionsCSM is a valuable tool for instrumented indentation testing. CSM is often used to measure properties of thin films and surface layers as a continuous function of penetration depth. CSM should always be used when testing materials that exhibit significant viscoelasticity or viscoplasticity (creep), because for such materials, the semistatic force-removal curve cannot be used to determine stiffness. If it is important to measure properties according to a standard test method such as ISO 14577 or ASTM E2546, then CSM can be used for preliminary testing to determine the ideal peak force or depth that should be used for the standard measurements.