Strain rate sensitivity assessment of metallic materials by mechanical indentation tests

Mechanical indentation tests have been long and continuously investigated to be used as an indirect method to evaluate the elasto-plastic behavior of materials. It is well known that mechanical properties of some materials are sensitive to strain rate and yet few works have been done on the study of mechanical indentation of materials at different velocities. A procedure to evaluate the strain rate sensitivity of metallic materials from mechanical indentation tests performed at different velocities is here explored. Mechanical indentation tests were carried out in mild steel, copper, titanium alloy and brass. The strain rate sensitivity of these materials were also obtained using conventional tests. The results obtained from indentation tests were compared against conventional tests plus literature data. It was concluded that mechanical indentation tests at different velocities is a promising technique to measure the strain rate sensitivity of metallic materials.