Micromechanical characterization of a reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic steel by instrumented indentation and scratch methods

•Both instrumented indentation and scratch methods were applied to characterize micromechanical properties of steels.•Values of elastic modulus were obtained by different nanoindentation analysis approaches and compared.•Values of indentation hardness were obtained by different nanoindentation analysis approaches and compared.•Fracture toughness was measured by energy-based indentation approach.•Effects of indenter geometry on scratch responses were studied by Berkovich and spherical indenters.