Strain films in the thin film resistance strain gauge are prepared by magnetron sputtering method. Some results concerning the electromechanical and structural properties of nichrome (Ni80Cr20 wt.%) thin films are presented. As compared to the well-known Ni-Cu (constantan) alloy film, which are widely used for manufacturing pressure and force sensors, nichrome (Ni80Cr20 wt.%) thin films exhibit gauge factor values of the same order of magnitude, but they are much more corrosion resistant and adherent to the substrate. The influences of composition and post-deposition annealing on the electrical resistance, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and gauge factor of nichrome (Ni80Cr20 wt.%) thin films are discussed.

Formation, propagation and length of crack and hardness of single silicon wafer were investigated at different temperatures by means of Vickers indentation, using lower temperature testing unit with semiconductor refrigerating chip and higher temperature testing unit with closed electric furnace. The results show that the hardness of single silicon wafer decreases with the increase of temperature, while the length of crack increases with the increase of temperature. Ductile-brittle transition of the single silicon wafer can occur at different temperatures with the increase of load. When the load is smaller and temperature is lower, no cracks can be found.

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Diamond spherical shell thick film was prepared by high power DC-plasma jet CVD. Atom force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and roughness-profile-meter were used to characterize microstructure, morphology, impurities and orientation evolution of diamond spherical shell thick film. The results show that, when nucleation begins, grains grow random orientation. The grain size of spherical diamond film prepared is compact, clear, uniform, continuous and no remarkable bigger grain over the whole surface of film. On the growth surface, (100) facets were dominant, and the cross-section SEM indicated that film columnar spreading grew from the substrate surface to the diamond film surface. The roughness of the growth surface was much more than that of the nucleation surface. To adjust some important parameters as methane concentrate, depositing time, and matrix temperature, and high quality diamond spherical shell thick film was deposited.

Hardness, elastic modulus and scratch resistance of single silicon wafer are measured by nanoindentation and nanoscratching using a nanoindenter. Fracture toughness is measured by indentation using a Vickers indenter. The results show that the hardness and elastic modulus at a peak indentation depth of 100 nm are 12.6 and 166.5 GPa respectively. These values reflect the properties of the silicon wafer, the bulk material. The fracture toughness value of the silicon wafer is 0.74 Mpa·m1/2. The material removal mechanisms are seen to be directly related to the normal force on the tip. The critical load and scratch depth estimated from the scratch depth profile after the scratching and the friction profile are 138.64 mN and 54.63 nm respectively. If the load and scratch depth are under the critical values, the silicon wafer will undergo plastic flow rather than fracture. The critical scratch depth is different from that calculated from the formula of critical-depth-of-cut described by Bifnao et al and some reasons are given.