Analysis of microhardness data using the normalized power law equation and energy balance model

Abstract

The analysis of the Meyer's equation and its correlation with the energy balance model was presented. It was observed that at low load the hardness was dependent on indentation load/size, which was known to be the indentation size effect (ISE). The parameters were combined with the coefficient of the energy balance model which could predict the critical indentation size after each ISE ceases to exist. The proposed approach was used to determine the critical indentation diagonal by involving both Meyer's power law equation and energy balance model.