Measuring the constitutive behavior of viscoelastic solids in the time and frequency domain using flat punch nanoindentation

The purpose of this work is to further develop experimental methodologies using flat punch nanoindentation to measure the constitutive behavior of viscoelastic solids in the frequency and time domain. The reference material used in this investigation is highly plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC) with a glass transition temperature of −17 °C. The nanoindentation experiments were conducted using a 983-μm-diameter flat punch. For comparative purposes, the storage and loss modulus obtained by nanoindentation with a 103-μm-diameter flat punch and dynamic mechanical analysis are also presented. Over the frequency range of 0.01–50 Hz, the storage and loss modulus measured using nanoindentation and uniaxial compression is shown to be in excellent agreement. The creep compliance function measured using a constant stress test performed in uniaxial compression and flat punch nanoindentation is also shown to correlate well over nearly 4 decades in time. In addition, the creep compliance function predicted from nanoindentation data acquired in the frequency domain is shown to correlate strongly with the creep compliance function measured in the time domain. Time–temperature superposition of nanoindentation data taken at 5, 10, 15, and 22 °C shows the sample is not thermorheologically simple, and thus the technique cannot be used to expand the mechanical characterization of this material. Collectively, these results clearly demonstrate the ability of flat punch nanoindentation to accurately and precisely determine the constitutive behavior of viscoelastic solids in the time and frequency domain.