dending

Dending is a term used in materials science and engineering to describe the creation of a localized indentation on a solid surface produced by mechanical force, usually through a punch, indenter, or contact with a hard tool. The resulting feature is a sunken, bounded area that differs from the surrounding material in topology. Dending can occur as a deliberate step in forming operations or incidentally during handling or impact.

Etymology: The word is a neologism formed from dent, meaning a hollow or indentation, and the suffix -ing. It has been adopted in some industrial and academic contexts to distinguish this localized indentation from broader deformation such as bending or folding.

Mechanisms and characteristics: Dending is influenced by indenter geometry, the magnitude and rate of applied force, and the material’s yield strength and work-hardening behavior. It denotes indentation without extensive plastic bending of adjacent regions. In sheet metal, dending may accompany features such as fluting or doming and can reduce surface flatness or alter local thickness. In some cases it is an intentional outcome for texture, grip, or metrological references.

Measurement and applications: Dending depth and profile are assessed using optical profilometry, microhardness testing, or 3D microscopy. Finite element models simulate indentation to assess material response and to calibrate forming processes or quality-control criteria. The concept is relevant in packaging, microfabrication, and impact analysis.

See also: Indentation, dents, sheet metal forming, hardness testing.