Indentation size effect in magnesium single crystals of different crystallographic orientations

Nanoindentation experiments are performed on magnesium single crystals of three different crystallographic orientations with the maximum penetration depth varied from 500 to 2500 nm. It has been observed that hardness, irrespective of the crystallographic orientation, decreases with increasing penetration depth showing indentation size effect (ISE). The difference in hardness among the different orientations is significant at low penetration depths but decreases with increasing penetration depth. Apart from ISE, the critical load for the first pop-in for different orientations has also been studied and rationalized using Schmid factor calculations. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]