A new concept for the determination of tensile properties of nanofilms and materials via nanoindentation

Here we present a new concept to determine tensile properties of nanofilms and materials via nanoindentation. The proposed methodology utilizes a conical or truncated conical indenter and requires the fabrication of an upwardly obtruded well shaped tube from the substrate. The downward stroke of the indenter along the centreline of the tube mainly produces tensile hoop stress in the upper region of the tube where the nanofilm exists. In the present work, the feasibility of the proposed method has been demonstrated through finite element analysis, as the first stage of a longer project on the topic. It has been demonstrated that Young's modulus and the yield strength of the nanofilm can be suitably determined in tensile mode from the load-stroke relation.