A new scheme for computational modeling of conical indentation in plastically graded materials

In this paper, a new scheme has been proposed for the computational modeling of conical indentation in plastically graded materials. Based on the new scheme and the work of Dao et al. [Acta Mater.49, 3899 (2001)], and taking the example of conical indentation with an indenter whose tip apex angle is θ = 70.3°, an analytical expression to predict the loading P - h curve for the indentation of plastically graded materials has been presented. A reverse algorithm has further been established to determine the plastic properties of a plastically graded surface. The existence, uniqueness, and stability of the solution to the inverse problem have been systematically investigated. The current work can be applied to the evaluation or optimization of various plastically graded surfaces.