Influence of modulus-to-hardness ratio and harmonic parameters on continuous stiffness measurement during nanoindentation

Dynamic nanoindentation is a popular method for continuously probing the mechanical properties of a sample as a function of depth. It is shown here that special caution should be exercised when testing materials with high modulus-to-hardness ratios (E/H) at fast loading rates, as the choice of harmonic parameters can result in a significant underestimation of the contact stiffness and hence the elastic modulus. The origin of this behavior is traced back to a bias occurring during signal processing by the lock-in amplifier. The possible consequences of flawed measurements are highlighted and a practical method for detecting possible occurrence from the phase angle signal is presented.

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