In-situ damage evaluation using ball indentation test method

Automated ball indentation is a semi-invasive test method that is gaining importance as a field test method in the recent times. Based on the few cycles of loading and unloading, and corresponding load, deflection characteristics, it is possible to estimate the true stress-true strain information of a material. In the present work, ball indentation has been used to evaluate the static and fatigue properties of base material as well as material subjected to different types of damage, such as fatigue, weldment etc. The tensile properties and fatigue properties were found to be affected by the prior damage history. Copyright © 2010 by ASME.