Abstract
The indentation load-size effect (ISE) in Vickers hardness of Al2O3 and Al2O3 + SiC nanocomposites has been investigated and analysed using Meyer law, proportional specimen resistance (PSR) model and modified proportional specimen resistance (MPSR) model. The strongest ISE was found for alumina. Both the PSR and MPSR models described the ISE well, but the MPSR model resulted in slightly lower true hardness values for all materials investigated. No evidence of the effect of machining stresses on the ISE has been found.