Analytical method for the determination of indenter constants used in the analysis of nanoindentation loading curves

We present a simple analytical method for the determination of indenter constants, key parameters used in the computation of the elastic modulus (or hardness) from the nanoindentation loading curve. In both forward and reverse analyses of the loading curve the proposed set of values are found to be more effective than those obtained empirically for the materials considered herein. Further improvement is anticipated as the accuracy of these constants depends on how precisely mechanical properties and curve fitting parameters are computed.