The Critical-Load-Graph

The program offers the option to calculate the beginning of plastic flow (yield point) in dependence on the Critical load necessary for a given indenter. The Critical-Load-Graph shows the dependency of this critical load on the radius of the indenter.

In the case of a layered material the graph contains a sharp bend which is caused by the fact that for small indenter radii the yield point always is situated within the film while it will be found within the substrate for bigger indenters.

With this option the user has the possibility to calculate and optimize the Load-Carrying Capacity of layer- substrate - combinations.

This calculation is only available for a spherical indenter on an uncoated substrate, on a substrate with one and with two layers.

To open the Critical-Load-Graph Window move the mouse towards the "Calculation" button on the menu rail. By clicking the left mouse button once a scroll which offers three options will open.

Choose the third alternative, "Find Critical Load", by clicking the left mouse button once.

The Critical-Load-Graph Window appears straightaway at the centre of the Main Window.

To start the calculation you need to press the "Calculation" button on the bottom right.

The calculation time might take a while in the case you have chosen the material with one layer, depending of course on the performance of your computer system.

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Small values mean soft materials, while big values represent harder materials.

The value set by the program is 4 GPa for the substrate, 8 GPa for the first layer and 6 GPa for the second layer.

By simply clicking into the white field "Substrate", "Layer 1" or "Layer 2" you can change the automatically selected setting.

Restart the calculation after a parameter change.

Just change the values in the "Rmin" (minimal radius) or "Rmax" (maximal radius) as you wish. The steps, which are shown as points along the graph, are also changeable.

Restart the calculation after having changed something.

By clicking the plus symbol once with the left mouse button a Comparison Window is opened immediately and the current graph is copied into this separate window.

Now you can calculate another graph and add it to the Comparison Window in the same way. This might be helpful if you want to compare two or more results directly in one single co-ordinate system.

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