A review of recent advances in nanoindentation technique in nano engineered cement composites

Traditional cement-based materials (CBMs) are increasingly challenged to meet the performance requirements of modern engineering applications. To address these limitations, significant research efforts have been directed toward enhancing CBMs through the incorporation of nanomaterials. As an advanced characterization technique, nanoindentation provides essential insights into the nanomechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of individual phases within nano engineered cement composites (NECC), as well as the characteristics of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). These insights facilitate a deeper understanding of how nanomaterials optimize material performance at micro- and nanoscopic levels. This review systematically outlines the fundamental principles of nanoindentation, methods for data analysis, sample preparation techniques, and the current state of research on the macroscopic influences of various nanomaterials. Furthermore, it examines the application of nanoindentation in evaluating nanomechanical properties, ITZ behavior, and creep response in NECC. The paper concludes by comparing the effects of different types of nanomaterials on CBMs across multiple scales.