Author(s)

Kamal Sharma, P.K. Singh, Vivek Bhasin, K.K. Vaze

RSD, BARC, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085 India.

In this work, Automated Ball Indentation (ABI) technique is based on load controlled multiple indentations (at a single penetration location) of a polished surface by a spherical indenter (0.7 to 1.46 mm) and indentation depth is progressively increased to a maximum user specified limit with intermediate partial unloading. This technique permits measurement of yield strength, stress-strain curve, strength coefficient and strain hardening exponent. ABI Testing was carried out on samples of Zr-Nb2.5 (Pressure Tube Material) with different heat treatment conditions in which temperature was varying (550 degree to 900 degree and retention time was varying 0.5 to 6 hour and furnace cooled. For all these test material and conditions, the ABI derived results were in very good agreement with those from conventional standard test methods.

Automated Ball Indentation, Irradiated Nuclear Material, Miniature Specimen Testing, Zr-2.5 Nb

K. Sharma, P. Singh, V. Bhasin and K. Vaze, "Application of Automated Ball Indentation for Property Measurement of Degraded Zr2.5Nb," Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, Vol. 10 No. 7, 2011, pp. 661-669. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2011.107051.