• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.333-346
• /
• 2002

The continuous indentation techniques are one of the most effective methods to nondestructively estimate mechanical properties. There are many applications in various dimensions of materials from macro-scale, through micro-scale, even to nano-scale range. The macro-range technology of kgf-load level is now focused on the evaluation of tensile properties and residual stress of bulk materials, for example, used in conventional load-bearing structures and in-use pipelines. The technology and the apparatus were successfully developed by a domestic research group. The micro-range technology of gf-load level can be applied to investigate some property-gradient materials such as weldment. Because it has better spatial resolution than the macro-range technology. The nano-range technology (called nanoindentation technique) of mgf-load level is basically used to evaluate hardness and modulus of micro- and nano-materials. Moreover, many researches are going on to measure tensile properties and residual stress. The nanoindentation technology is easy to be applied to the various fields, such as semiconductor devices, multiphase materials, and biomaterials, though other methods are too difficult to be applied due to dimensional or environmental limitations. On the basis of these accomplishments, the international and the domestic standards are being established.