Extending nanoindentation testing toward extreme strain rates and temperatures for probing materials evolution at the nanoscale

For the past 30 years, nanoindentation has provided critical insights into the microstructure–strength relationship for a wide range of materials. However, it has traditionally been limited to quasistatic testing at room temperature, which has hindered a holistic understanding of microstructurally induced deformation mechanisms and their dynamic evolution as a function of the temperature and strain rate. Over the past decade, the operational scope of nanoindentation has expanded dramatically. Temperatures up to 1100°C and strain rates as high as 10+4 s−1 and as low as 10−8 s−1 have become accessible. In addition, advanced techniques allow tracking microstructural evolution and corresponding changes in mechanical behavior during deformation under extreme conditions. These advancements have transformed nanoindentation into a versatile tool for comprehensive materials characterization, enabling high-throughput investigations under multimodal conditions.