Numerical model of the nanoindentation test based on the digital material representation of the Ti/TiN multilayers

The developed numerical model of a local nanoindentation test, based on the digital material representation (DMR) concept, has been presented within the paper. First, an efficient algorithm describing the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process was proposed to realistically recreate the specific morphology of a nanolayered material in an explicit manner. The nanolayered Ti/TiN composite was selected for the investigation. Details of the developed cellular automata model of the PLD process were presented and discussed. Then, the Ti/TiN DMR was incorporated into the finite element software and numerical model of the nanoindentation test was established. Finally, examples of obtained results presenting capabilities of the proposed approach were highlighted.