Indentation and plastic properties of MgO single crystals in nano and submicrovolumes

Abstract

The strength and plastic properties of MgO single crystals have been thoroughly studied in microvolumes [1–3]. However, it has been proved on various materials that a reduction in the characteristic dimensions of an object or structure element to R ≤ 1 μm (at least one of the three dimensions) leads to a substantial change in its mechanical properties.