Effect of residual stress on the nanoindentation response of aerospace aluminium alloys

► FE modelling has been used to simulate the effects of residual stress on the nanoindentation response of Al alloys. ► The results have been correlated with experimental measurement of the effect of stress on the nanoindentation response. ► The indentation area is critical in the interpretation of the results, so indentation pile-up can greatly affect the results. ► A method is presented for applying the work of indentation to determine the residual stress.