Vickers hardness indentation size effect in selective laser melted MS1 maraging steel

Abstract

In this paper, selective laser melting fabricated specimens in non-heat-treated and heat-treated conditions were subjected to Vickers microhardness testing, by using a full range of loadings: 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, and 1000 g. Microhardness of longitudinal sections and cross-sections were correlated and the obtained values were plotted against loadings and indentation size effect was studied, in order to find the optimal loading range, that gives the material true microhardness, or load-independent hardness. The load dependence of the measured Vickers hardness values was described quantitatively through the application of the Meyer’s law, proportional specimen resistance, and the modified proportional specimen resistance model. It was found that the microhardness rises as the loading is higher, causing a reversed indentation size effect, clearly indicating the range of true hardnesses of the tested material. Also, proportional specimen resistance and modified proportional specimen resistance models were found to have the highest correlation factors indicating their higher adequacy compared to Meyer’s prediction model.