Effect of electric fields on the nanoindentation response of piezoelectric materials

A three-dimensional finite element model is developed to capture the influence of electric fields on the nanoindentation response of anisotropic piezoelectric materials. Nine classes of indentations are carefully examined and it is demonstrated that the indentation response of piezoelectric materials is, in general, strongly influenced by electric fields when the electric field is aligned parallel to the poling direction. Furthermore, in-plane electric fields can be used in conjunction with nanoindentation to identify domains which are poled in specific in-plane directions.