Indentation Modulus, Indentation Work and Creep of Metals and Alloys at the Macro-Scale Level: Experimental Insights into the Use of a Primary Vickers Hardness Standard Machine.

In this work, the experimental method and the calculation model for the determination of indentation moduli, indentation work, and indentation creep of metallic materials, by means of macroscale-level forces provided by a primary hardness standard machine at the National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM) at the at room temperature were described. Indentation moduli were accurately determined from measurements of indentation load, displacement, contact stiffness and hardness indentation imaging and from the slope of the indentation unloading curve by applying the Doerner-Nix linear model; indentation work, representing the mechanical work spent during the force application of the indentation procedure, was determined by calculating the areas under the loading-unloading indentation curve, through fitting experimental data with a polynomial law. Measurements were performed with a pyramidal indenter (Vickers test). The applied force was provided by a deadweight machine, and the related displacement was measured by a laser interferometric system. Applied forces and the occurring indentation depths were simultaneously measured: the resulting loading-unloading indentation curve was achieved. Illustrative tests were performed on metals and alloy samples. Discussion and comments on the suitability of the proposed method and analysis were reported.

Long term plumb-line alignment of precise measuring instruments: an adaptive digital controller designed for an autoleveling platform.

Plumb-line alignment can affect the sensors of precise scientific instruments. When its effect is one of the main contributors to the measurement uncertainty, the deviation from the true vertical must be continuously monitored or compensated. This paper describes a digital control system designed and tested for an autoleveling platform. Best performances are obtained with an adaptive digital compensator based on a convolution of the error signal. Although accuracy and resolution of the leveling transducer limit the ultimate sensitivity, laboratory tests showed that the controller kept for several hours the base-plate top within ±1 µrad. These performances are suitable for maintaining the alignment of relative spring gravimeters used by volcanologists in long-term gravity measurements.