A unified sharp indentation method for obtaining stress-strain relations, strength and Vickers hardness of ductile metallic materials

Combining dimensional analysis and the definition of Vickers hardness (HV), an integrated prediction model (IPM) for determining the stress-strain relation, strength and Vickers hardness of ductile metallic material is established. The dimensionless functions in the model are determined by using finite element analysis (FEA). The accuracy of the model predicted load-depth relations, Vickers hardness and stress-strain relations are verified within a wide range of imaginary materials via FEA. Moreover, on the basis of the experimental sharp indentation load-depth data for 10 ductile metallic materials from the references, the stress-strain relations, ultimate tensile strength and Vickers hardness of the materials, which predicted by IPM are similar to the uniaxial tensile or hardness testing results. Likewise, the simulated load-depth relations agree well with the sharp indentation experiments results.