Creep Testing Lab
- Tensile, compressive, flexural, humidity-controlled, and high-temperature creep programs
- Method-appropriate specimen geometry, fixtures, load levels, and strain measurement
- Short comparative studies and longer-duration creep or creep-rupture programs
- Environmental conditioning, humidity control, and elevated-temperature exposure
- Engineering test report (PDF) with digital data delivery
- Method-appropriate outputs such as creep strain vs. time curves, time to rupture, steady-state creep rate, creep modulus, and isochronous stress–strain curves
- Raw data exports available on request, where applicable
- Exact deliverables depend on the selected creep mode, duration, specimen configuration, and test conditions
Get Started
Tell us about the material, application, environment, and any method, standard, specimen, or conditioning constraints.
We’ll align the appropriate method, specimen requirements, and deliverables to your objectives, then provide a quote and test plan.
Send the purchase order and arrange delivery of materials or specimens so the program can move into scheduling and execution.
You’ll receive an engineering test report with digital data delivery, along with any agreed raw data or method-appropriate outputs.
FAQs
It depends on the required creep mode, material form, and run plan. Share what you have and we’ll confirm specimen geometry and minimum specimen count.
Strain measurement approach depends on method, specimen geometry, and accuracy needs. Tensile creep commonly uses axial contact extensometry, while compressive and flexural creep may use dial-indicator methods.
We support common ASTM/ISO creep methods across major material classes, and can confirm the right method during the initial consult.
Yes—humidity and temperature requirements can be incorporated depending on method and specimen requirements, including high-temperature tensile creep for metals where applicable.
You receive an engineering test report (PDF) and digital data deliverables. Raw data exports are available on request where applicable. Exact outputs and deliverables vary by the specific test ordered.
Reported outputs depend on method and measurement approach, and vary by the specific test ordered. Common outputs include creep strain vs. time, time to rupture, steady-state creep rate, creep modulus, and isochronous stress-strain curves where applicable.
Typical turnaround for most testing is five business days but is inherently longer for creep testing. Turnaround can vary based on the specific test ordered, run length, conditioning requirements, and test volume—share constraints and we’ll propose a viable plan.
Tell us what you need back—properties, curves, rupture data, raw data, formats, and any required method/standard. We’ll recommend the appropriate test path and confirm deliverables in the quote before testing begins.
The sections below provide the technical context, standards, specimen considerations, test procedures, and measurement details for this testing service.
Significance and Purpose
Creep Testing evaluates the time-dependent deformation of materials under constant stress over extended periods. It is critical for assessing long-term performance in structural, aerospace, automotive, and energy applications where materials operate under sustained loads, particularly at elevated temperatures or in varying humidity conditions. The data obtained from creep tests inform material selection, design safety, and service life predictions.
Standards
General Materials (Polymers, Composites, and Other Non-Metallics)
-
Tensile Creep:
- ASTM D2990: Standard Test Methods for Tensile, Compressive, and Flexural Creep and Creep-Rupture of Plastics
- ISO 899-1: Plastics—Determination of Creep Behavior—Part 1: Tensile Creep
-
Compressive Creep:
- ASTM D2990
-
Flexural Creep:
- ASTM D2990
- ISO 899-2: Plastics—Determination of Creep Behavior—Part 2: Flexural Creep
Metals (High-Temperature Applications)
-
Tensile Creep at Elevated Temperatures:
- ISO 204: Metallic Materials—Uniaxial Creep Testing in Tension
- ASTM E139: Standard Test Method for Conducting Creep, Creep-Rupture, and Stress-Rupture Tests of Metallic Materials
Tests
Tests in the DatapointLabs test catalog that reference creep testing are as follows:
General Creep Testing
| Test ID | Test Description | Standards |
|---|---|---|
| M-250 | Tensile Creep | ASTM D2990, ISO 899-1 |
| M-250H | Tensile Creep With Humidity | ASTM D2990, ISO 899-1 |
| M-251 | Compressive Creep | ASTM D2990 |
| M-252 | Flexural Creep | ASTM D2990, ISO 899-2 |
Metals
| Test ID | Test Description | Standards |
|---|---|---|
| M-250HT | High Temperature Tensile Creep | ISO 204, ASTM E139 |
Principle of Operation
Creep testing involves applying a constant load (or stress) to a specimen at a fixed temperature and measuring strain over time. The test typically follows these three primary creep stages:
- Primary Creep (Transient Creep): Strain rate decreases as material work-hardens.
- Secondary Creep (Steady-State Creep): Strain rate stabilizes due to a balance between work-hardening and recovery mechanisms.
- Tertiary Creep: Strain rate accelerates due to internal damage (e.g., void formation, microcracking), leading to failure.
Typical Procedure
- Sample Preparation: Specimens are machined to standard dimensions.
- Test Setup: The specimen is mounted in a creep testing machine, where a constant load or stress is applied.
- Environmental Conditioning: Temperature and humidity (for non-metallics) are controlled as per test requirements.
- Data Acquisition: Strain is measured over time using extensometers.
- Test Termination: The test may run until rupture (creep-rupture test) or for a predefined time to assess strain accumulation.
- Data Analysis: Strain vs. time curves and other characterization parameters are extracted for material evaluation.
Specimen Types
Specimens used by DatapointLabs in various types of creep testing are as follows:
| Specimen Type | DatapointLabs Test IDs |
|---|---|
| Tensile Bars [Details] | M-250, M-250H, M-250HT |
| Compressive Creep Specimens [Details] | M-251 |
| Flex Bars [Details] | M-252 |
Extensometry Techniques
Extensometry techniques typically employed by DatapointLabs in various types of creep testing are as follows:
| Extensometry Technique | DatapointLabs Test IDs |
|---|---|
| Contact Extensometry (Axial) | M-250, M-250H, M-250HT |
| Dial Indicator (Contact) | M-251, M-252 |
Characterization Measurements
Creep testing provides multiple characterization metrics to assess material behavior:
Tensile Strain vs. Time
- Measures elongation over time under constant tensile stress.
- Used to determine creep strain rate, primary/secondary/tertiary stages, and rupture time.
- Applicable to both general materials (ASTM D2990, ISO 899-1) and metals (ASTM E139, ISO 204).
Isochronous Tensile Stress-Strain Curves
- Constructed by plotting strain at fixed time intervals for different stress levels.
- Useful for comparing materials and predicting long-term behavior under different load conditions.
- Commonly used in polymeric and composite material studies.
Compressive Strain vs. Time
- Evaluates deformation under sustained compressive load.
- Important for structural materials, including plastics and elastomers, where long-term stability under compression is required.
- Governed by ASTM D2990 for general materials.
Flexural Strain vs. Time
- Assesses creep deformation in bending, particularly for polymers and composites.
- Follows ASTM D2990 and ISO 899-2 standards.
- Important for beams, panels, and other flexural load-bearing components.
Typical Data Reported
- Creep Strain vs. Time Curves: For tensile, compressive or flexural modes of deformation.
- Time to Rupture: For creep-rupture tests.
- Isochronous Stress-Strain Curves: Material studies for design reference.
- Steady-State Creep Rate: Secondary creep rate, ε̇.
- Creep Modulus: Ratio of applied stress to creep strain at a given time.
Suitable Material Types
General Materials (Polymers, Composites, and Non-Metallics)
- Thermoplastics and thermosets: polyethylene, polypropylene, epoxy.
- Fiber-reinforced composites.
- Elastomers: rubber, silicone.
Metals (High-Temperature Applications)
- Superalloys: Inconel, Hastelloy.
- Stainless steels.
- Titanium alloys.
- Refractory metals: tungsten, molybdenum.
Suitable Applications
- Aerospace & Power Generation: Turbine blades, heat exchangers, jet engine components.
- Automotive: High-performance engine parts, structural polymers in vehicles.
- Civil Engineering & Infrastructure: Polymers and composites in bridges, piping, and structural panels.
- Medical Devices: Long-term implant materials (e.g., polymeric prosthetics, titanium implants).
- Electronics & Semiconductors: Polymers and metals used in high-temperature electronic enclosures.
Conclusion
Creep testing provides essential long-term performance data for materials under sustained loads. By adhering to standardized test methods such as ASTM D2990, ISO 899, ASTM E139, and ISO 204, engineers can predict material behavior, optimize design choices, and ensure reliability in demanding applications.
