A new generation of testing machine: Recording macroindentation techniques for fast assessment of temperature-dependent material properties

The authors introduce a prototype of a recording (depth-sensing) macroindentation testing machine that has been modified and extended with a temperature chamber. This prototype allows the analysis of different hardness values (Martens hardness, indentation hardness, ball indentation hardness, etc.) and the indentation modulus, as well as time-dependent properties such as creep and relaxation of polymers and other materials, in a wide range of temperature (−100 - 100 °C). The applicability of the testing machine for fast and less material-consuming determination of the temperature-dependent mechanical properties is illustrated by means of selected amorphous and semicrystalline thermoplastics, i.e., neat (PMMA and PTFE) and reinforced ones (PMMA/silica nanocomposites).