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Future of nanoindentation in archaeometry

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Abstract

This review aims to consolidate scarce literature on the use of modern nanomechanical testing technique like instrumented nanoindentation in the field of archaeometry materials research. The review showcase on how can the nanoindentation tests provide valuable data about mechanical properties which, in turn, relate to the evolution of ancient biomaterials as well as human history and production methods. This is particularly useful when the testing is limited by confined volumes and small material samples (since the contact size is in the order of few microns). As an emerging novel application, some special considerations are warranted for characterization of archaeometry materials. In this review, potential research areas relating to how nanoindentation is expected to benefit and help improve existing practices in archaeometry are identified. It is expected that these insights will raise awareness for use of nanoindentation at various world heritage sites as well as various museums.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All the authors would like to acknowledge the overall experience gained during their research and development through various commercially available nanoindentation machines without which this review would not have been possible. The authors (SG and GC) would like to acknowledge the support of the COST Action MP1303 as well as COST Action 15102 of the Horizon 2020. SG is also grateful to the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Ultra Precision at Cranfield University which is supported by the EPSRC via Grant Nos. EP/K503241/1 and EP/L016567/1 that provided the motivation for this work. Finally, all the authors are particularly grateful to the Principal Editor (Journal of Materials Research) and the reviewers for their extensive comments and recommendations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK

    Nadimul Haque Faisal

  2. School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK

    Rehan Ahmed

  3. School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK

    Saurav Goel

  4. Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Graham Cross

  5. Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research (AMBER), Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Graham Cross

  6. School of Physics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Graham Cross

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  1. Nadimul Haque Faisal
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Correspondence to Nadimul Haque Faisal.

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Faisal, N.H., Ahmed, R., Goel, S. et al. Future of nanoindentation in archaeometry. Journal of Materials Research 33, 2515–2532 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2018.280

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