Mechanical Characterization of Mesoscale Interfaces Using Indentation Techniques

Mesoscale interfaces and interphases play a central role in controlling the many macroscale mechanical properties and performance characteristics of structural materials. Modern instrumented indenters present an unprecedented opportunity to measure, reliably and consistently, the local mechanical responses at a multitude of length scales ranging from tens of nanometers to hundreds of microns. When these high-fidelity measurements are combined with rigorous data analyses protocols, it is possible to systematically study the mechanical role of individual mesoscale interfaces and quantify their contributions to the overall mechanical response of the material system . The advantages of these new measurement and analyses protocols as well as the potential for development and implementation of novel high-throughput assays is discussed.