Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Characteristic properties of plastic instabilities were studied using depth-sensing microhardness experiments on an Al–3.3 wt.% Mg alloy and computer simulations based on a macroscopic dynamic model of the experimental setup. A stepwise increase was observed in the indentation depth versus load (d-F) curves measured in constant loading rate mode, indicating hardness oscillations around a nearly constant value of the conventional dynamic microhardness. These oscillations were correlated with plastic instabilities starting from the contact surface between the sample and the indenter head. Taking into account the experimentally determined connection between the hardness oscillations and the indentation velocity, a dynamic model was proposed for the characterization of instability steps.