The following is an SOP for the nanindentation of High Pressure Die Cast(HPDC) aluminum samples

Loss Prevention

Electromagnetic Actuator (Inforce 1000) costs $50,000 to replace
- Very sensitive. It only has a displacement range of 80μm after which is break.
- Be extremely careful to avoid bumping the actuator when working in and around the machine
vibration isolation table and ballast plates
- The table has red pins that control whether or not it floats.
  - ensure that the pins are out when the nanoindenter is working and avoid bumping the table to ensure optimal performance by the indenter.

Procedure

Prepare samples by mounting and polishing them.
- Subsurface damage can negatively impact test quality. Be sure that both the surface and subsurface of samples are free of damage
- Sample should be very flat to ensure good results
Open Environmental enclosure
Remove specimen stage
- In software first eject the stage and then remove.
- The stage is secured in the machine with magnets. Apply steady, controlled force when working near the actuator.
Mount 1 sample on stage .
- Fused silica mount always stays on the stage as a control for the nanoindenter (the machine tests the fused silica before and after each set of indents).
- The fused silica is used as a calibration at the start of the experiment.
- Ensure that the sample surface is level with the 4 pillars on the corners of the stage.
- Use screw pins to secure the sample mount in the stage
Carefully place stage back into indenter
Initiate software to load the stage.
Use software and optical scope in the indenter to identify locations where experiments are to be run
Test parameters and sizes vary.
Select settings and set machine to run
Most quality experiments will run over night, especially if the allowed thermal stability criteria is low

Electromagnetic Actuator (Inforce 1000)