Application of Instrumented Indentation Technique to Small-Scale Testing of Pressure Vessels and Piping Systems

The instrumented indentation technique (IIT) is a powerful tool for measuring mechanical properties by analyzing the load-penetration depth curve. It differs from conventional test methods such as tensile testing, CTOD, etc., in being applicable to small samples and to localized sections where material properties change rapidly. It also has the significant advantage of simplicity in specimen preparation and experimental procedure. Analytic models and procedures are presented here for evaluating flow properties and stress state using IIT; the flow properties are treated by defining the representative stress and strain underneath a spherical indenter and the residual stress by using a stress-insensitive contact hardness model. Flow properties of 5 steel materials were measured by IIT and compared with those from uniaxial tensile tests. The residual stress states of a welded joint were evaluated and compared with those measured by mechanical saw cutting. Examples of the application of IIT to small-scale materials and localized sections of pressure vessel and piping systems in situ are also presented.