In this section, we post-process our tests to extract basic data from the various steps. Indentoolbox can be used to collectively process one step of data from all trials and export the result as a dataframe. This is a powerful feature for batch processing, as is often the case with indentation.
First, we focus on the parabolic loading step:
First, we focus on the parabolic loading step. Please note that:
- The method `collect_steps` allows us to collect every occurrence of the same step in every test.
- The method `parabolic_fit` performs a parabolic fit on every step.
In this section, we use several inverse analysis algorithms to retrieve the mechanical properties of the material under study. As this material is fused quartz, these methods are unsuitable for crystalline metals. See it as a demonstration, but disregard the results.
This notebook walks through turning raw nanoindentation exports into a structured `batch` ready for analysis with IndenToolbox.
You will load raw files, define the indenter tip and test protocol, complete essential metadata, and export the result for downstream processing.
## What you’ll do:
- Select and parse raw test files (CLI or widget UI).
- Define the indenter tip and test protocol.
- Fill metadata: date, operators, sample, device.
- Build a Batch and export `my_batch.toml` and `my_batch.csv`.
- Build a Batch and export `FusedQuartz_batch.toml` and `FusedQuartz_batch.csv`.
## Notes:
- Example data targets Hysitron TI‑950 files; CSM is also supported.
- Make sure ipywidgets is enabled (`%matplotlib widget`) for the UI.
- If your acquisition differs, adjust protocol and file encoding accordingly.
Run the notebook top‑to‑bottom. At the file selection step, choose either the command‑line path list or the interactive widgets, then proceed to create and dump the batch.
An indentation tip must be defined to allow interpretation of the tests.
In our experiments, we performed nanoindentation using a Berkovich diamond tip. However, for post-processing and modeling purposes, we approximate the indenter geometry as a spherocone. This simplified geometry, defined by its half angle and truncated length, facilitates the interpretation of the mechanical response while retaining key features of the contact mechanics.
Have a look at the [documentation on step classes](https://indentoolbox.readthedocs.io/en/latest/reference.html#tip-classes).
In IndenToolbox, a batch is made up of several tests, which are themselves made up of steps. The test protocol defines the structure of these steps. It defines their nature and sequence. All tests in the same batch share the same structure.
Have a look at the [documentation on step classes](https://indentoolbox.readthedocs.io/en/latest/reference.html#step-classes).