Load dependence of the hardness of silicate glasses - Not just due to indenter tip defects

Abstract

The real contact area of Berkovich indenters with typical indenter tip defects is calculated as a function of the penetration depth in a general form and compared with literature results for Vickers indenters. The influence of the tip defects on the load dependence of hardness is treated for both types of indenters, taking into account possible purely elastic deformation at the beginning of contact. Using the example of recording microhardness measurements on glass made using a Berkovich indenter, it is shown that a linear dependence exists between load and depth of penetration in the millinewton load region which can be explained by a rounded indenter tip. However, the resulting corrections for the real contact area are not sufficient to compensate for the load dependence of the hardness in the entire load region. A method is proposed for showing definitely that the load dependence of the hardness is caused not just by indenter tip defects but also by material properties. This method is tested on extensive measurements of the authors, as well as on results of Frischat and the Oak Ridge group.