The Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (www.fzk.de) is one of the biggest science and engineering research institutions in Europe. In addition to standard tests the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe is investigating the concept of characterisation of irradiated material by instrumented indentation. For this reason they purchased a ZHU0.2/Z2.5 modular testing system to assist them in their quest to investigate the material’s mechanical properties after irradiation and to understand the irradiation damage mechanisms. Zwick was the only manufacturer who could provide a solution for this unique application.

The ZHU0.2/Z2.5 has a load range of 2 – 200N, and a displacement measuring resolution of 0,02µm. The system is equipped with a fully automated X/Y table and Rockwell and Vickers indenters. The indentation can be viewed through a microscopy fitted with a Ccd camera supplier.

The Zwick ZHU0.2/Z2.5 is installed in a gas tight hot cell with 200 mm lead / 500 mm lead glass industrial shielding. It carries out multistage indentation tests (load/unload) with different holding times. Neural networks then evaluate the correlation between these test data and the parameters of a viscoplastic material model.The unique operation of the indentation professional tester allows it to carry out precision loading cycles up to various forces and displacements with predetermined holding times during each cycle. testXpert® software is used to control the machine and obtain the synchronised force and indentation data.