Correlation of microstructure and constitutive behaviour of sintered silver particles via nanoindentation

•Sintered silver nanoparticles and microparticles are analyzed and compared by nanoindentation.•Nanoparticles require lower sintering temperature but show a greater mass loss.•Silver nanoparticles has higher hardness but similar Young's modulus compared with microparticles.•Both yield strength and hardening behaviour of sintered silver nanoparticles are greater.•It is feasible to optimize the mechanical properties by tuning particle sizes and shapes.