Abstract
The nanoindentation loading curves measured on fused silica were analyzed based on the theoretical relationship derived by Malzbender et al. (J Mater Res 2000, 15: 1209-1212). It was found that the ratio of the applied load to the square of the displacement, P/(h + hd)2, does not keep constant during loading segment of the nanoindentation test. Considering the existence of the indentation size effect, an empirical method for the determination of the load-independent hardness by analyzing the nanoindentation loading curves was proposed.