A review of indentation fracture theory: its development, principles and limitations

The influence of ‘blunt’ and ‘sharp’ indenters in producing indentation crack patterns is outlined. Attention is then focused on the initiation and propagation of cracks formed during a sharp contact event as such contacts are of the most practical interest and are commonly used to determine the fracture toughness of opaque materials. The modifying influence on the behaviour of such cracks as a result of anisotropy, particle size, environment and residual stress effects is briefly discussed. A simplistic derivation of the current formula used in determining the fracture toughness of suitable materials from a sharp contact event is then given. The criteria for valid results are also presented and these, in conjunction with other points discussed, highlight some of the limitations of this method of toughness testing.RésuméOn souligne l'influence de l'émoussage ou de l'acuité d'un poinçon lors de la production de fissures d'indentation. On se concentre ensuite sur l'amorçage et la propagation de fissure résultant du contact avec un poinçon à angle acéré, cas le plus intéressant dans la pratique, et d'usage courant pour déterminer la ténacité à la rupture de matériaux vitreux. On discute brièvement de l'influence que l'anisotropie, la taille des particules, l'environnement et les contraintes résiduelles peuvent avoir sur le comportement de telles fissures. On donne également une dérivée simpliste de la formule couramment utilisée pour la détermination de la ténacité à la rupture des matériaux adéquats à partir d'une essai de poinçonnage. On présente également les critères pour que les résultats soient valides, et on indique comment ces critères, en association avec d'autres points évoqués par ailleurs, mettent en lumière les limites de cette méthode.

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