Measurement of mechanical properties of nickel thin film over steel substrate through simulation of Nano Indentation Technique

Abstract

Nickel is an important element used in many industrial applications. It can be used as alloying element as well as in many coating applications. Thin film of nickel coatings play an important role to protect surface of metals and also prevent from degradation and friction of metallic surfaces. Protective coatings based on nickel thin films not only protect from environmental effects but also can enhance the mechanical properties of coated surfaces applied to any metallic surface. In this research work nickel based thin film are coated on steel substrate to enhanced electrical, mechanical, magnetic and chemical properties. Finite element simulation of Nano indentation technique is an appropriate method to characterize mechanical properties of thin films. In this present work, a thin layer of nickel on steel substrate has been analyzed by finite element modeling of Nano indentation technique. Various mechanical properties like hardness, elastic strength, shear and normal stresses can be measured but in this research work most important properties are studied. It was found that nickel based thin film coating has adverse effect on steel surface and as a result mechanical properties have been improved that can be verified from simulation of Nano indentation results.