Nanoindentation Study on Tourmaline

M.O. Adeoye, O.O. Adewoye

Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria..
National Agency for Science & Engineering Infrastructure, Abuja. Nigeria..

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2006.51004                

Abstract

Nanoindentation tests were performed on the basal (0001) and prismatic (10ī0) surfaces of tourmaline crystals. These results were used along with Vickers microhardness tests to investigate the hardness of the material on these surfaces at different load regimes. It was found that the (0001) surface indicated a higher hardness at ultra-low loads while (10ī0) becomes the harder plane at higher loads. Evidence of plastic deformation at room temperature in the otherwise very brittle (ceramic) material was also established, and the elastic modulus was determined.

Keywords

Tourmaline; Minerals; Mechanical properties; Hardness testing;Nanoindentation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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