Creep Testing

The mechanical strength of metals

decreases with increasing temperature
In the past the operating temperatures in
steam power plant, chemical plant and oil
refineries seldom exceeds 500oC .
Developments of gas turbine pushed this
temperature up to 1000oC.
 The strength of viscoelastic materials like
polymers is very dependent on time factor
i.e the strain rate applied
This is not true for metals at low
temperatures
At high temperature the time factor
becomes increasingly important.
 Creep is a time-dependent deformation of
a material while under an applied load that
is below its yield strength.
It is most often occurs at elevated
temperature, but some materials creep at
room temperature.
Creep terminates in rupture if steps are
not taken to bring to a halt
 Creep in service is usually affected by
changing conditions of loading and
temperature
The number of possible stress-
temperature-time combinations is infinite.
The creep mechanisms is often different
between metals, plastics, rubber,
concrete.
 Creep
Time dependent deformation under an
applied load.
Metals/alloys do not exhibit time
dependent deformation under normal
service condition.
Metals subjected to a constant load at
elevated temperatures will undergo a time
dependent increase in length.
 Homologous Temperatures
The high and low temperature are relative
to the absolute melting temperature of the
material.
Homologous temperatures of more than
0.5 of melting T is of engineering
significance.
Metal Melting temp. 0.5xMelting Temp
Lead 327oC 600oK 300oK 27oC
W 3407 3680 1840 1567
 creep rate
The rate of deformation of a sample is
known as the creep rate. It is the slope
created by the creep v. time.
Creep curve
 Creep stages
the primary creep starts at a rapid rate and
slows with time;
the secondary creep has a relatively
uniform rate;
the tertiary creep has an accelerated
creep rate and terminates when the
material breaks or ruptures.
High Temperature Mechanical Test
High Temperature Tensile Test
Creep Test
Stress Rupture Test
High Temperature Tensile Test: Similar to
short term room temperature test-
completed in few minutes and provide
stress versus strain curve.
 Creep test
Measure dimensional changes accurately
at constant high temperature and constant
load or stress.
Useful for long term applications which
are strain limited.
such as turbine blade.
 Creep Test
Measure strain verses time at constant T
and Load.
Relatively low loads and creep rate
Long duration 2000 to 10,000 hours.
Not always fracture.
Strain typically less than .5%.
 Stress Rupture Properties
Stress rupture testing is similar to creep testing except
that the stresses are higher than those used in a creep
testing.
Stress rupture tests are used to determine the time
necessary to produce failure.
Stress rupture testing is always done until failure.
Data is plotted as log-log.
A straight line or best fit curve is usually obtained at
each temperature of interest.
This information can then be used to extrapolate time to
failure for longer times.
Stress rupture Data On log-log
scale
 Stress rupture Test
Measure time to failure at specified stress
and temperature.
Useful for applications where some strain
can be tolerated but failure must be
avoided.
such as large furnace housings.
 Stress rupture Test
Measure stress verses time to rupture at
constant temperature.
Higher load and creep rate.
Shorter duration, less than 1000 hours.
Always to fracture
Time and strain to fracture measured.
Strain typically up to 50%.
 Creep testing
Creep generally occurs at elevated
temperatures,
so it is common for this type of testing to
be performed with an environmental
chamber for precise heating/cooling
control.
Temperature control is critical to minimize
the effects of thermal expansion on the
sample.
How to Perform a Creep Test?
The unloaded specimen is first heated to
the required T and the gage length is
measured.
The predetermined load is applied quickly
without shock.
Measurement of the extension are
observed at frequent interval.
Average of about 50 readings should be
taken.
 Creep parameter
To predict the stress and time for long
lives on the basis of much shorter data.
Plant life 30 to 40 years(260000,35000
hrs)
While creep data is not available beyond
lives of more than 30000 hrs.
Larson Miller Parameter
Manson Hafford parameter
T = temperature, K
tr = stress-rupture time
C = constant