Analysis of the size effect in the nanoscratching process of single crystalline and polycrystalline materials

Günay E., YALÇINKAYA T.

Scientific Reports, vol.15, no.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 15 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1038/s41598-025-15595-4
  • Journal Name: Scientific Reports
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: Crystal plasticity, Nanoscratch tests, Size effect, Strain gradient
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In tribology, nanoscratch testing is used to evaluate the mechanical and tribological properties of materials by employing a nanoscale indenter. At this scale, size-dependent plasticity effects, particularly those related to scratch hardness, become significant. Additionally, the anisotropic nature of crystalline materials means that the crystal orientation of the samples plays a crucial role. This study focuses on investigating the effects of indentation, grain size, and crystal orientation by applying the finite element method (FEM) with a lower-order strain gradient crystal plasticity framework. Results for scratch hardness, friction coefficient, and pile-up patterns are analyzed to identify the experimental trends, providing insights into how size and orientation effects influence material behavior in nanoscratch testing.