Creep Failure of Plastics

Creep is the tendency of a polymeric material to deform permanently under the influence of constant stress and is a leading plastic failure mechanism. It occurs as a function of time through extended exposure to levels of stress that are below the yield strength of the material. This learning session will explain the mechanism, the contributing factors, and provide strategies for anticipating and avoiding failure.

By the end of this presentation, you will have a better understanding of:

• The properties of molded plastic materials will change over time when under continuous stress.
• Unexpected brittle failure can occur under conditions of low to moderate applied stress.
• Time and temperature act on plastics in the same way.