In recent years, the technology of indentation testing has been the focus of research due to its unique precision and practicality. Researchers have conducted in-depth studies on nanoscale indentation testing technology, developing methods to more effectively integrate it into existing testing environments. These developments have exhibited significant dispersive and representative characteristics. Due to the substantial differences in requirements across various domains and testing environments, new theories and models have emerged continuously since the advent of this technique. Numerous effective theories, models, and applications have been developed, and many have gained widespread acceptance. However, there have also been instances where inappropriate models and theories have resulted in outcomes that significantly deviate from the actual parameters of the materials. Nevertheless, these situations present opportunities to develop new theories and models, attracting significant attention from scholars in related fields. This paper analyzes the current development direction of the nanoscale impression measurement technique and its theoretical foundations and influencing factors. The analysis covers three aspects: geometry, materials, and environmental factors. Subsequently, the paper discusses the adaptability of this technique to different domains, and the study emphasized the practical applications of the technology in a variety of real-world settings, including the assessment of material properties in extreme environments and the evaluation of biological materials in medical contexts. The paper also identified the current challenges and technological problems in these fields and discussed the potential developments and technological breakthroughs that could result from these challenges.
Fu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.