Abstract: The reverse analysis provides a convenient method to determine four elastic-plastic parameters through an indentation curve such as Young's modulus E, hardness H, yield strength σ_y and strain hardening exponent n. In this paper, mathematical analysis on a reverse algorithm from Dao model (Dao et al., Acta Mater., 2001, 49, 3899) was carried out, which thought that only when 20≤E^*/σ_0:033≤26and 0.3n by dimensionless function Π₂. It is shown that, however, there are also two solutions of n when 20≤E^*/σ_0:033≤26 and 0≤n<0.1. A unique n can be obtained by dimensionless function Π₃ instead of Π₂ in these two ranges. E and H can be uniquely determined by a full indentation curve, and σ_y can be determined if n is unique. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis on obtaining n from dimensionless function Π₃ or Π₂2 has been made.

Key words: Elastic-plastic properties, Sharp indentation, Reverse algorithm, Uniqueness, Sensitivity