Creep Test

Method for determining creep or stress relaxation behavior. To determine creep properties, material is subjected to prolonged constant tension or compression loading at constant temperature. Deformation is recorded at specified time intervals and a creep vs. time diagram is plotted. Slope of curve at any point is creep rate. If failure occurs, it terminates test and time for rupture is recorded. If specimen does not fracture within test period, creep recovery may be measured. To determine stress relaxation of material, specimen is deformed a given amount and decrease in stress over prolonged period of exposure at constant temperature is recorded. Standard creep testing procedures are detailed in ASTM E-139, ASTM D-2990 and D-2991 (plastics) and ASTM D-2294 (adhesives).

Creep Rupture Strength - Stress required to cause fracture in a creep test within a specified time. Alternate term is stress rupture strength.

Creep Strength - Maximum stress required to cause a specified amount of creep in a specified time. Also used to describe maximum stress that can be generated in a material at constant temperature under which creep rate decreases with time. An alternate term is creep limit.