Finite element analysis of depth effect on measuring elastic modulus of a core-shell structure for application of instrumented indentation in tooth enamel

• FEM was used to analyze the indentation deformation of a core-shell structure.
• Threshold indentation depth is proposed as a criterion for measuring rod's modulus.
• The effect of Yc/Er on the threshold indentation depth is negligible.

Tooth enamel is a complex structure, consisting of numerous enamel rods surrounded by a protein-rich sheath. Considering the possible effect of the protein-rich sheath on the indentation deformation of an enamel rod and the limitation of the Oliver–Pharr method in measuring the elastic modulus of the enamel rod, we used a finite element method to analyze the indentation deformation of an elastic-perfectly plastic cylinder surrounded by an elastic-perfectly plastic film. A concept of the threshold indentation depth was proposed, at which the percentage error of the measured modulus of the cylinder is ± 10%. For the indentation depth less than the threshold indentation depth, the elastic modulus measured from the indentation test can be approximated as the intrinsic elastic modulus of the cylinder. The normalized threshold indentation depth strongly depends on the modulus ratio of the film to the cylinder and the ratio of the film thickness to the cylinder radius. The results can be used to guide the use of the Oliver–Pharr method in characterizing the mechanical properties of tooth enamel and bio-composites with core-shell structures.