Self-Similarity Simplification Approaches for the Modeling and Analysis of Rockwell Hardness Indentation

Published

September 1, 2003

Author(s)

Li Ma, J Zhou, A Lau, Samuel R. Low III, R Dewit

Abstract

The indentation process of pressing a rockwell diamond indenter into inelastic material has been studied to provide a means for the analysis, simulation and prediction of Rockwell hardness tests. The geometrical characteristics of the spheroconical-shaped Rockwell indenter are discussed and fit to a general function in a self-similar way. The complicated moving boundary problem in Rockwell hardness tests is simplified so an intermediate stationary one for a flat die indenter using principle of similarity and cumulative superposition approach. This method is applied to both strain hardening and strain rate dependent materials. The effects of different material properties and indenter geometries on the indentation depth are discussed.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

107(5)

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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Keywords

analytical modeling, cumulative superposition, diamond indenter, FEA, finite element analysis, indentation, Rockwell hardness, self-similarity

Citation

Ma, L. , Zhou, J. , Lau, A. , Low, S. and Dewit, R. (2003), Self-Similarity Simplification Approaches for the Modeling and Analysis of Rockwell Hardness Indentation, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=822532 (Accessed October 14, 2025)