Sample environment for nano-mechanical testing at MAX IV

Research Project, 2017 – 2019

The purpose of the project is to develop and implement a sample environment for in-situ nano-mechanical testing at MAX IV. The set-up will be based on a commercial nano-indenter, intended for in-situ operation in scanning electron microscopes (SEM), which will be adapted for use on synchrotron beam lines. NanoMAX will host the first test experiments to be performed within the project life-time. The aim is to still allow operation in SEMs, so that experiments can be tested before attempts at synchrotron beamlines. The set-up will be flexible to allow testing of different materials (metals, ceramics, polymers and biological materials such as bone and wood). It is foreseen that small future modifications will allow conversion of the indenter to accommodate also tensile deformation, which is required for testing of e.g. fibers.