Measurement of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of thin film by combination of bulge test and nano-indentation

This paper will discuss two different techniques to measure mechanical properties of thin film, bulge test and nano-indentation test. In the bulge test, uniform pressure applies to one side of thin film. Measurement of the membrane deflection as a function of the applied pressure allows one to determine the mechanical properties such as the elastic modules and the residual stress. Nano-indentation measurements are accomplished by pushing the indenter tip into a sample and then withdrawing it, recording the force required as a function of position.. In this study, modified King's model can be used to estimate the mechanical properties of thin film in order to avoid the effect of substrates. Both techniques can be used to determine Young's modulus or Poisson's ratio, but in both cases knowledge of the other variables is needed. However, the mathematical relationship between the modulus and Poisson's ratio is different for the two experimental techniques. Hence achieving agreement between the techniques means that the modulus and Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus of thin films can be determined with no prior knowledge of either.