Effects of ball size and microstructures on indentation curves of Fe9Cr model alloys and tempered martensitic steel Eurofer97

Nano-indentation with spherical indenters is a test technique largely used to determine the elastic–plastic behavior of very small volume material. In this work, indentation size effects under were investigated for Fe9Cr model alloys and reduced activation tempered martensitic steel Eurofer97. Experimental tests finite element method (FEM) simulations performed. Results analysis experimental results FEM revealed that depend on both indenter radius microstructures characterized by initial dislocation density grain tested materials. The observed difference in stress–strain curves was qualitatively discussed terms relative associated ball microstructural length scale.