Mechanical testing of thin films – Bulge Test

By bulge testing the mechanical properties of thin films can be investigated. The sample is mounted on a pressure chamber and is pressurized with nitrogen gas controlling the stress. It is possible to perform monotonic tests but also cyclic and creep experiments up to 100°C.

For further informations see our publications:

Preiß E., Lyu H., Liebig JP., Richter G., Gannott F., Gruber PA., Göken M., Bitzek E., Merle B. Microstructural dependence of the fracture toughness of metallic thin films: A bulge test and atomistic simulation study on single-crystalline and polycrystalline silver films. Journal of Materials Research 34 (2019), p. 3483-3494

Merle B. Creep behavior of gold thin films investigated by bulge testing at room and elevated temperature. Journal of Materials Research 34 (2019), p. 69-77

Preiß E., Merle B., Göken M. Understanding the Extremely Low Fracture Toughness of Freestanding Gold Thin Films by In-situ Bulge Testing in an AFM. Materials Science and Engineering A-Structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing 691 (2017), p. 218-225

 

 

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