An efficient way of extracting creep properties from short-time spherical indentation tests

Indentation as a means to extract creep properties has the advantage that it can be applied directly to micro/nano-structures. Many studies on indentation creep reported at least partially poor agreement with creep parameters derived from uniaxial test. One important reason for the incompatibility is the neglect of transient creep. Another one is the choice of equivalent stress and strain measures to relate the different material responses. Applying a material model that accounts for transient creep effects we propose an efficient method for deriving creep properties from short-time spherical indentation tests. We first determine a subsurface point where the material response is very close to that observed in uniaxial tests. We then map the load–displacement data to the material response, expressed in terms of two dimensionless variables, at this point. Converting the dimensionless variables data to stress, strain, and strain rate data, we finally determine the material’s creep coefficient and exponent.