Performance analysis of spherical indentation process during loading and unloading - a contact mechanics approach

In an indentation approach, the smooth rigid spherical ball penetrated into a deformable flat is considered for the study based on contact mechanics approach. The elastic-plastic frictionless spherical indentation analysis has been under taken in the finite element analysis using „ABAQUS‟ and experimental study. The spherical indentation has been studied for the materials like steel, aluminium, copper and brass with an identical spherical indenter for diverse indentation depths. The springback analysis is executed for studying the actual indentation depth after the indenter is unloaded. In the springback simulation, the material recovers its elastic deformation after the indenter is unloaded. The residual diameter and depth of an indentation for various materials are measured and compared with simulation results. It shows a good agreement between the simulation and an experimental studies.