Depth-sensing indentation measurements with Vickers and Berkovich indenters

Depth-sensing indentation measurements are performed with two different Vickers indenters and one Berkovich indenter. The sample materials were mirror polished Ag, Al, Au, Ni, and Ti samples. From the load-indentation depth data, the conventional hardness plots as well as the first derivative are calculated. The latter procedure yields a specific volume related density of deformation energy in the probed material. That specific energy density is shown to be a constant material parameter for extended indentation depths and for different Vickers indenters. Vickers and Berkovch indenters delivered within the error margin the same results.