title: Is the exponent 3/2 justified in analysis of loading curve of pyramidal nanoindentations?
abstract: Kaupp and Naimi-Jamal (2010) claimed that the analysis of published loading curves reveals the exponent 3/2 to the depth for nanoindentations with sharp pyramidal or conical tips. To demonstrate this, they plotted the load vs. the penetration depth to the power 3/2. We show, through examples, the authors' assertion is not credible because the methodology used is misleading and it cannot be asserted that the exponent 3/2 has a universal validity that applies to all kinds of materials.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Recherche en Nanosciences, EA 4682, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims Cedex 2, France. michel.troyon@univ-reims.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Troyon
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abbès
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Garcia Guzman