Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 November 2012
In this paper, the mechanical properties of plasma-sprayed coatings are evaluated usingthe technology of nanoindentation. According to the indentation curve (load versusindenter’s displacement), which is recorded in an indentation experiment, the mechanicalbehaviour of the plasma-sprayed coating is investigated via inverse analysis usingnumerical optimization algorithms. The tip rounding of imperfect indenter is investigatedin parameter identification. Subsequently, the hardness on the top surface and on thevertical cross section of the plasma-sprayed coating are investigated. The results showthat the hardness on the top surface of the coating depends on the indentation depth.Moreover, the results show that the hardness on the cross section of the coating issignificantly affected by the substrate if the indentation impression is too close to thecoating-substrate interface.