The depth dependence of the indentation creep of polycrystalline gold at 300 K

Constant load nanoindentation tests were performed on gold at 300 K to investigate the dependence of the indentation creep rate upon initial indentation depth, h0. The magnitude of the total activation energy and the dependence of the activation volume V∗ upon dislocation density and indentation stress are independent of h0. We conclude that, while the dislocation density in the indentation zone is dependent upon h0, the type of dislocation/obstacle interaction controlling the indentation creep rate is independent of h0.