Filling a Gap in Materials Mechanics: Nanoindentation at High Constant Strain Rates up to 10⁵ s⁻¹

A central focus in high strain rate research is understanding the dynamic behavior of materials at strain rates where a strength upturn is observed. While strength upturns at strain rates of 10³ to 10⁴ s⁻¹ have been widely reported in the literature, their occurrence in certain materials remains controversial, and the underlying physics driving this phenomenon is not yet fully understood. Current mechanical testing methods are limited, as no single technique spans the full strain rate range of 10¹ to 10⁵ s⁻¹ where this phenomenon is expected, and a unified technique would enable consistent post-deformation characterization with minimal error. To address this, we developed a customized piezoelectric in situ nanomechanical test setup, enabling constant indentation strain rates up to 10⁵ s⁻¹, for the first time. Using this system, we examined rate-dependent hardness in single-crystalline molybdenum, nanocrystalline nickel, and amorphous fused silica over strain rates from 10¹ to 10⁵ s⁻¹, remarkably revealing a hardness upturn in all three materials. Further, post-deformation analysis of single-crystalline molybdenum revealed that the hardness upturn was primarily driven by increased dislocation density, with phonon drag—traditionally considered a dominant contributor playing a minimal role.