Durable Materials Bonding for High-Temperature Coating Indentation (DURABOND)

"**Nanomechanical testing is a revolutionary technique in improving our fundamental understanding of the basis of mechanical properties of materials and the importance of the nanoscale behaviour on their performance. It is important to measure nanomechanical properties at testing temperatures that are close to their operating conditions. The results are more relevant and the links between properties and performance and design of advanced materials systems for increasingly demanding applications are better understood.**

**Despite this, nanomechanical testing is usually carried out at room temperature since achieving reliable high temperature nanomechanical testing results requires a combination of very high level of thermal stability with test probe durability at high forces and temperatures making it extremely challenging experimentally. In this project we are investigating ways to improve the durability of the test probes by increasing their bonding strength and using prototype probes made by the newly developed processes to test coatings and thin films at higher temperatures than currently are possible. The results of the testing will be used to improve the performance of innovative erosion-resistant coatings operating in harsh environments in aerospace, automotive, coatings and nuclear industries.**"