Nanoindentation Video: Hysitron xSol High Temperature Stage


Nanoindentation video about the Hysitron xSol High Temperature Stage – an award-winning stage for nanomechanical characterisation over a broad range of temperatures, up to 800°C!

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An understanding of nanoscale mechanical properties is important when researching and developing reliable high temperature materials for use in extreme environments. The Hysitron xSol High Temperature Stage won a prestigious R&D 100 Award for its high resolution nanomechanical measurements over a broad temperature range.

The thermally stable stage design delivers accurate feedback-controlled temperatures, with fast stabilisation times. Dual resistive heating elements eliminate temperature gradients within the sample, for uniform temperature on the outermost surface for testing. xSol’s heating element architecture and proprietary probe design delivers passive tip heating, for isothermal tip-sample contact.

The xSol High Temperature Stage is designed for use with the Hysitron TI 950 TriboIndenter and TI Premier nanoindentation systems. When combined with Hysitron’s nanoDMA III, elevated temperature nanoscale creep behaviour can be measured over long time durations.

Testing Stability

The relationship between temperature stability, thermal expansion coefficients and thermal isolation dictates the lower limit of nanoscale testing with a heating stage. The Hysitron xSol stage design combines low thermal expansion and thermally insulating materials, for minimal thermal drift during testing. PID feedback loops and high precision resistive heating elements deliver  accurate temperature control and fast equilibration times. Insulating ceramics around the heated core of the stage sustain uniform temperature at the testing region. Dissipated heat is transported outside the instrument enclosure through a liquid-cooled metal base. The coolant is kept at a constant temperature, ensuring dimensional stability in the base and preventing heat from dissipating into other areas of the system.

Hysitron xSol High Temperature Nanoindentation Stage Features

  • Thermally stable stage design for reliable quantitative nanomechanical characterisation at high temperatures up to 800°C.
  • Tip-sample-thermal equilibrium in a uniform micro-environment – extremely low thermal gradients by stage mechanical design, FEM heat management analysis and accurate temperature control.
  • Minimal effects from reactive chemistries, eg oxidation, with tight control of the sample’s micor-environment.
  • Fast heating under PID control.
  • Compatible with Hysitron in-situ SPM imaging, nanoindentation, nanoscratch, nanowear and nanoDMA III nanomechanical testing methods.

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Hysitron xSol high temperature nanoindentation stage

Hysitron’s xSol High Temperature Stage integrated with the TI 950 TriboIndenter® Nanoindentation System