Weld Zone Material Characterisation Based on Spherical Indentation Data

An improved elasto-plastic characterisation technique relying on instrumented indentation data, accounting for frame compliance, spherical indenter imperfections and, most importantly, material pile-up at indentation edges was validated on experimental data from control specimens with known properties. The method was subsequently applied to the characterisation of weld regions for which traditional testing methods are not applicable. Variations of elasto-plastic properties were obtained from indentations on a butt-welded steel specimen spanning the three distinct weld regions. The consistency of these results and their sensitivity to variations of experimental data was examined and discussed.