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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
A sensitive method to characterize the inelastic deformation of solids is to measure the thermodynamic response of the deforming volume by applying an inelastic strain rate change. Using the step ramp technique on a displacement controlled micro-indentor with Berkovich tip, the apparent activation volumes were determined for linear low density polyethylene, and eutectic Pb-Sn solder for depths less than 10 μm. The results show that the activation volume is a unique measure of a given microstructure.