Hot stage nanoindentation in multi-component Al-Ni-Si alloys: Experiment and simulation

Corresponding linked atomistic finite element calculations have been carried out for Si and Ni-Al systems as a function of increasing Ni content at various temperatures. The results show only a small difference in the mechanical behaviour of Si between 300 K and 650 K as observed in the experiments. Large differences for Al at both temperatures studied result in an increase of plasticity with rising temperature and atomic motion that changes from slip in well-defined planes to a viscous fluid-like behaviour. The formation of dislocations and slip bands during indentation for the Ni-Al systems is studied.