Pop-In Events and Elastic Deformation of Sapphire Single Crystal during Nanoindentation

Abstract

Sapphire single crystal is widely used in many fields because of its excellent properties, as a focus of mechanical test, nanoindentation on sapphire is paid a great deal of attention by researchers. In this manuscript, the maximum load, depth and loading rate effects on the first pop-in event during nanoindentation of sapphire single crystal were discussed, the results indicated that these factors had no effect on the load at which the first pop-in occurred and the extension width of pop-in; the deformation below the first pop-in event was discussed and it could be roughly considered as purely elastic deformation through analyzing.