Determination of an effective zero-point and extraction of indentation stress–strain curves without the continuous stiffness measurement signal

A novel approach is presented for converting spherical nanoindentation load–displacement data into indentation stress–strain curves, without the need for continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) – an option available only on a limited number of machines. This new method entails novel approaches for estimating (i) the effective zero-point and (ii) the effective contact radius from the raw load–displacement data. The results from the new analysis methods are shown to be in good agreement with the results obtained using CSM.