Mechanical characterization of highly porous inorganic solids materials by instrumented micro-indentation

This study focuses on the mechanical characterization of highly porous inorganic solids through spherical micro-indentation. The mechanical properties of a porous plaster, used here as a model material, at two different porosity ratios (30 and 60 vol.%) were determined using analytical methods and numerical simulation. The Young’s modulus, hardness, contact stress–strain curves and parameters associated with the Drücker–Prager yield criterion (cohesion, friction and dilatancy) were determined through an inverse method. Porous inorganic solids show a specific mechanical behaviour, with densification of the indented area promoted by the amount of porosity, without initiation of macroscopic brittle cracks.