A novel optimization approach is proposed to extract mechanical properties of a power
law material from its given experimental nano-indentation P-h curves. A set of equations have been
established to relate the P-h curve to mechanical properties, E, σ
y and n, of a material. Using the
proposed optimization approach, convergence studies were carried out for the determination of the
mechanical properties of materials. It was found that the mechanical properties of an elastic-plastic
material usually cannot be uniquely determined using a single loading and unloading P-h curve.
Thus a technique has also been developed to determine the material properties from indentation p-h
curves using indenters with two different angles. This enables the mechanical properties of
materials to be uniquely determined.