TQ SM1006 Creep Machine TecQuipment User Guide Introduction Figure 1 The Creep Machine SM1006 WV DAS] ts product works with voas All engineers need to know how to predict creep in materials. They can use this information to decide the right type and thickness of materials for their own designs. They will also know how long a fixing or part of a machine or structure will ast before it must be changed or re-tightened. ‘TecQuipment's Creep Machine shows students how different materials creep when subject to a load (stressed), ‘The Creep Machine also teaches students about: The three stages of Creep. The effect of temperature on Creep. Material failure (fracture) due to Creep. Plastic and elastic limits Creep recovery. TecQulpment Lis i User Guide7 1006 Creep Machine Rt Description a Thermometer > ® Weight Hanger 7 Transparent Cover Digital indicator i é Base Plate I en - oo! Pack os a = Set of Weights Figure 2 The Creep Machine SM1006 The Main Parts The Creep Machine isa simple lever and weight machine. It has a long lever (Arm) with a pivot point near to one end. The pivot point is a bearing, for very low friction. Students fit specimens of different materials to the short end of the lever and known weights to the long end of the lever. The lever gives as 4 large mechanical advantage, so that even small weights will apply a large load (tensile stress) to the specimen. This simple system gives a predictable, uniform and constant load to the specimen. For accuracy, the Base Plate of the equipment is labelled with the effective mass of the Arm at point ‘P’, ‘where the Weight Hanger applies its load. During the tests, students add this to the mass of the Weight Hanger, the weights that they use and the mass of the support pin. This gives them an accurate value of the load at point ‘P’. The force at the specimen is then the product of the load, the mechanical = advantage of the Arm and the acceleration due to gravity. A digital displacement indicator measures the change in length (extension) of the specimen during the experiments, The indicator is exactly the same distance from the lever pivot as the specimen, but on the ‘opposite side. This ensures that it measures the specimen displacement in a 1:1 ratio, and is not affected by the slight angular movement of the arm. eB A thermometer measures the ambient temperature around the specimen. Supplied with the machine is a set of precision loads and a Weight Hanger. A ‘cool pack’ is provided for the student to freeze in a suitable refrigerator (not supplied) and put it next to the specimen to test the effects of lower temperatures on Creep. The student may also heat the pack in heated water and put it next to the specimen to test the effects of higher temperatures on Creep. A clear enclosure its around the specimen area to help keep the temperature constant and provide some protection when specimens are tested to fracture. A rubber mat (supplied) helps to reduce the impact energy of the falling Weight Hanger when a a specimen fractures. TecOuipment Lic 2 User Guide‘SM 1008 Creep Machine Technical Details Item Detail Dimensions 430 mm high x 570 mm long x 220 mm front to back (with thermometer fitted) | [Nett Weight | 5 kg (plus weights and specimens) Total Weight Sig +2kg + 05g =7.5kg Lever mechanical | 81 re a advantage Weights 1% 100g 5 2x200g 3x500g (otal 2 kg) Specimens supped | 10 x lead (CPTO10) to BS1178 - | 10x polypropylene (P1020) 0.5 kg total for both packs Gauge Length: 20 mm Nomina test section dimensions: (see Figure 5). Lead Specimens [n= 10 eee Q=120K/mol Polypropylene | Young’s Modulus: 1250 N/mm? Specimens k=O 002 Cool Pack Refer to manufacturers instructions printed on the pack i 63.5 mm {1.0 mmto 1.8mm ( ¢3mm Vat (nominal) . ‘Measure your specimens before use! O Figure 5 Key Dimension of the Specimens Noise Levels The noise levels recorded at this apparatus are less than 70 dB (A). Tecuipment Li 7 User Guide‘SM1008 Creep Machine Useful Equations Stress (a) This is the force applied to a material over a known area. It is found by the equation: o-f a Compressive stress is where the material is compressed. It has a negative value. Tensile stress is where the material is stretched. It has a positive value. Strain (c) This is the change in length (distortion caused by stress) of a material over its original length (0). Its found by the equation a (2) Compressive strain is where the material has compressed. It has a negative value. Tensile strain is where the material has stretched. It has a positive value. Young’s Modulus (£) or Modulus of Elasticity This is a ratio of the stress divided by the strain on a material. An English physicist - Thomas Young discovered it. It is a measure of the stiffness of a material (a stiffer material has a higher value of Young's Modulus). Its found by the equation: ia (3) Itis often called the modulus of elasticity, because it only applies where the material is stressed within Strain-Hardening Coefficient (n) When many materials are stressed they actually become harder and resist the stress. This is also known as work hardening. Itis the gradient of a graph of the natural log values of stress and strain in a material inits plastic region. Itis found by the equation: n= Ang (4) sing User Guide 4 TecQuipment Lis‘SM 1006 Creep Machine Activation Energy (0) ‘This is the energy needed for the atoms of the material to move past each other, so that creep can occur. Itis found from the equation: 2 aun aan ” Theory Elasticity and Plasticity (or Elastic and Plastic Deformation) ‘When a material is stressed so that it compresses or stretches (deforms), then returns to its original shape when the stress is removed, the material is perfectly efastic. The atoms in the material have not moved, but the bonds between them have stretched, then returned to their original position. ‘When a material is stressed so that it compresses or stretches (deforms), then does not return to its original shape when the stress is removed, the material is perfectly plastic. The atoms have actually moved and will not return. o not confuse the terms ‘plastic, ‘plasticity’ or ‘plastic region’ with the word NoTE ‘plastic’ used to describe the specimen material type (for example - metal or plastic specimens). Most materials have both elastic and plastic properties. When stressed by a small amount, they behave like an elastic material, up to their elastic limit. When stressed by a large amount (that takes them past their elastic limit), they behave like aplastic material. Rubber and soft plastic materials usually have more elasticity than more brittle materials ike metal or ceramics. ‘Common Materials Stress Strain Figure 10 Stress/Strain Curves TecQuipment id 15 User Guide‘SMM1006 Creep Machine Creep - An Increase in Strain Over Time When the stress on a material takes the material above its elastic limit and into its plastic region, then. the material permanently deforms, due to the movement of atoms in the material. If the stress is maintained, the deformation (strain) continues. This slow, gradual deformation is called ‘creep’. Itis an increase in strain over time. Even hard materials ike concrete will creep under stress, given enough time (many years). Creep happens due to long term stress levels that are below yield stress. The material permanently deforms to relieve the stress. Creep is easily measured in pure metals when their temperature is one third (or 30%) of their melting temperature. Four main things determine the speed and amount of creep: * Applied load - higher loads give higher stresses that increase the speed of creep + Type of material - softer materials creep more quickly for the same value of stress * Dimensions of the material - thinner materials take higher stresses for the same value of load * Temperature of the material - higher temperatures encourage faster creep The applied load and the dimensions of the material determine the stress, so you céuld say that three main things determine creep: Stress, material and temperature. High temperature or stress Medium temperature or stress Strain Low temperature or stress, Time Figure 11 Curves of Creep at Different Temperatures and Stress Material Failure (Fracture) When a material is subject to creep, after enough time, the material will fal fracture). Different materials will fracture after different amounts of deformation. Rubber materials can deform much more than plastic materials before they fail. Plastic materials can deform much more than metals before they fail. Metals can deform much more than silicone based material before they fal. This is because the failure is determined by the molecular structure of the material User Guide 16 Tecuigment Lis‘SM 1008 Creep Machine Three Stages of Creep ‘Temperature and Load (Stress) = Constant Pont Figure 12 The Three Stages of Creep Even though the applied stress and temperature on a piece of material may be constant, creep is not ‘completely linear. It has three main stages: ‘+ Primary Creep or ‘Transient’ Creep - This starts when the load is applied. Itis an initial high rate of creep followed by a decreasing rate of creep ‘+ Secondary Creep or ‘Quasi-viscous’ Creep - A long, linear rate of creep ‘© Tertiary Creep - A increasing rate of creep until the material fils Primary creep does not start until the material has passed its elastic limit. “The secondary creep stage is almost linear because this is the stage where the material is actually becoming ‘work hardened’, which helps to resist the load. The gradient of the secondary creep determines the creep rate for the material. ‘The point between the second and third stage is the ‘Transition Point’. This indicates that the material Is starting to fail and may already start to crack in places. Engineers must realize that they can allow materials to enter the frst and second stages of creep, but never the third, asthe part (or structure) wil fal Its important for engineers to know the second stage creep rate, so that they when to change a part in a machine or structure. Calculation of Creep Rate (secondary creep) Secondary creep rate is linear, s0 to find it you only need a measurement of the change in dimension (strain) of the material overtime, from a test at a constant temperature and stress. The equation for this is “TecQuipmert Lid 7 User Guideed j ] 'SM1006 Creep Machine Tests Safety Use gloves to hold the cool pack when you freeze it or heat it up. WARNING id Do not heat the cool pack to temperatures higher than its rated value. Useful Notes Stress (MN.m?) Experiment time at |>!8Hours | 46minutes | 15 minutes | 9 minutes | 4 minutes 20°C Table 1 Typical Experiment Times for Lead Specimens at 20°C * Some tests can take hours (see Table 1), s0 allow for this before you plan your class or laboratory time. Longer tests give better results. ‘= Ask someone to help you set up the tests. One person can start the timer (or TecQuipment’s \VDAS) while the other can set the load. + For accurate results, try to do the tests when the ambient temperature is stable. Calculation of the Stress on a Specimen i” 1. Calculate the total mass at the end of the Arm (point P’). To do this, add together: The value of the weight you are to add to the Weight Hanger “The Effective mass of the Arm at ‘P’ *Mass of the Weight Hanger *Mass of the Support Pin * The mass of these parts is written on the Base Plate of the Creep Machine 2. Multiply the total mass by 8 (the mechanical advantage of the Arm), and then by 9.81 (acceleration ‘due to gravity). This will give the total force on the specimen in Newtons. 3. Calculate the cross sectional area of the specimen (width x thickness) in m?, 4. Divide the total force (Newtons) by the cross sectional area (m?) to find the stress on the specimen (in Nm), wore (2, tye hove the optional VDA, the steered a for \¢ Tecuipment Lid a User Guide‘SM1006 Creep Machine Specimen Material: ‘Temperature around Specimen: width: Weights: Thickness: Total Mass at 'P': kane Time Extension Time | Extension Time Extension (eninutes) (eam) (minutes) rom (nm) 05 (30s) 205 405 | | 1.0 (60s) 21.0 (1260 8) 41.0 (2460 s) | ripen |e 21.5 zl Seas] 2.0 (120s) 22.0 (1320 8) 42.0 (2520 s) | 25 + | a 2.5 4 = 3.0 (180s) _| 23.0 (1380 s) 43.0 (2580 s) 35, [2s | 43.5 40(240s) | 24.0 (1440 8) | 44.0 (2640 5) | [cigtecmoeen arora cast as 445 | 5.0 (300 s) 25.0 (1500 ) | 45.0 (2700 s) | ic creas 1255 45.5 | 6.0 (960s) 26.0 (1560s) 46.0 (2760 s) 65 265 | 46.5 7.0 (420 s) 27.0 (1620s) 47.0 (2820 8) 75 275 a7 5 | 8.0 (480s) | | 28.0 (1680 8) 48.0(2880s) | 85 28.5 [49.5 9.0(640s)_| 29.0 (1740s) | 49.0 (2940s) 95 I 295 | 49.5 I 10.0 (600s) 30.0 (1800 s) 50.0 (3000 s) | 10.5 30.5 50.5 11.0 (6608) _ [31.0 (1860 s) 51.0 (3060 s) 11.5 [ 315 515 1 ae} 42.0 (720s) 32.0 (1920s) |'52.0 (3120s) | 125) mee [52.5 | 13.0 (780 s) 33.0 (1980 §) [53.0 (3180s) 135) [33.5 [53.5 14.0 (6408) | 34.0 (2040 8) 54.0 (3240s) 145 [34.5 [545 15.0 (900 s) 35.0 (2100 5) 55.0 (3300s) 15.5 | [35s [55.5 16.0 (960s) 36.0 (2160s) 56.0 (3360s) 165 [36.5 56.5 47.0 (1020s) | | 37.0 (2220 s) 57.0 (3420 s) 175) [375 575 18.0 (1080 s) | 38.0 (2280 s) | 58.0 (3480s) 185) [38.5 58.5 19.0 (1140s) 39.0 (2340 8) | 59.0 (3540s) 195) [39.5 [595 20.0 (1200's) [140.0 (2400 5) {60.0 (3600 8) Table 2 Blank Results Table User Guide 2 TecQuipment Lis{5M 1006 Creep Machine Test 1 - Creep Aims ‘+ To demonstrate and calculate creep in different materials at different stresses and temperatures. + To calculate the strain hardening coefficient (n). * To calculate the energy of activation (0). Procedure 1. Create a blank table of results, similar to Table 2 2. If you are not to use TecQuipment’s optional VDAS you will need a timer, with an accuracy of one second. 3. Accurately measure and record the width and thickness of the specimen (see Figure 13). Nore Ifyou are to use TecQuipment’s optional VDAS, enter into the software your ‘measurements and the type of specimen you are to test. Figure 13 Accurately Measure the Width and Thickness of the Specimen 4. Put the weight hanger in position and fit its support pin in its highest hole to hold the arm up and ready for the test specimen (see Figure 14). 5. Fit the steel specimen support clips to the specimen (see Figure 15). 6. Fit the specimen into place between the black support block and the arm, and fit the pins (see Figure 16). TecQuipment Lid 2 User Guide‘SM1006 Creep Mactine It is easier to fit the bottom of the specimen fist. Nore \ 7 ifthe specimen does not fit correctly, do not use it - it has been deformed. Pin in highest hole YS —§[| Lowest hole Figure 14 Put the Weight Hanger in Position and Fit its Pin in the Highest Hole Figure 15 Fit the Stee! Specimen Support Clips User Guide 2 TecQuipment usflesh | sf eal Led i el ed Need Mend Pad al Led deed J heal mL = ded dnd _ ) r 'S¥11008 Creep Machine j s 5] ) y < Ws & Figure 16 Fit the Specimen into Place (bottom first) and Fit the Pins 7. Put the transparent cover into place around the specimen, Make sure that the thermometer is in its hole in the top of the cover and its tip is near to the specimen. Wait for at least five minutes for the temperature reading to stabilize, then record the temperature around the specimen, f) tf you are to use TecQuipment’s optional VDAS, the SM 006CK thermocouple NOTE & aand Thermocouple Transmitter will transmit the temperature to the software 2 cutomaticoly 8. Fita suitable weight to the Weight Hanger, to give a stress that gives the longest test time that you can allow (See Table 1 on page 21). NOTE If you are to use VDAS, enter the masses into the software. TecQuipment tts 2 User Guide‘SM1006 Creep Mactine 9. Ask an assistant to prepare the timer. Nora a If you are to use TecQuipment’s optional VDAS, ask them to prepare the timed \"2 data acquisition for 30 second intervals and ‘continue indefinitely’. | @ memstneer Lit the Weight Hanger Ftthe pin and start the timer ® ut the mat under te weight Figure 17 Procedure 10. See Figure 17. Carefully remove the Weight Hanger support pin from the highest hole in the Weight Hanger. 11. Switch on the digital indicator and press its origin button to set its display to zero. Make sure that itis set to work in reverse (press the +/- button so that the word REV is shown in its display). User Guide 6 TecCuipment LisPld, yn JA! An Mee LS A re eg ie 1 'SM1006 Creep Mactine 12, Lift the Weight Hanger and support it while you fit the support pin in the lowest hole. 13, Gently (and at the same time) - let go of the Weight Hanger and start your timer. Slide the rubber mat (supplied) onto the Base Plate, underneath the Weight Hanger. 14, Record the specimen extension every 30 seconds (0.5 minutes), untilit fractures or stops extending due to the limits of the machine. NOTE The specimens do not always fracture - they may sometimes stretch to the limits of the machine, 115. Repeat the test on new specimens at higher loads (stresses), so that you have a set of at least two more stress results. Too much weight gives a very high stress and a very short test time on lead Now specimens, so results can be inaccurate. Lower value weights give longer test "7 times, but better results. Choose weights that will ive tests as long as your laboratory time will allow. 16, Repeat the test on different specimen materials. 17. Repeat the test, but use the cool pack to reduce or increase the temperature around the specimen before you start the test. Heat of cool the cool pack and put it next to the specimen before you fit the transparent enclosure in step 7. CAUTION & Do not heat the coo! pack to temperatures higher than its rated value Results Analysis - All Specimens 1. For each test, plot a chart of specimen extension (mm) on the vertical axis against time (minutes) (on the horizontal axis. 2. On the most linear (secondary creep) part of your curve, calculate the gradient. This is the creep rate (in mm/minute). Results Analysis - Lead Specimens 1. For each value of stress at a constant temperature, on one chart, plot curves of the natural log of strain rate (Ine (vertical axis) against natural log of the stress value (Inc )(horizontal axis). For a correct comparison, the units of strain rate must be in mm/s and the units of stress must be in N.mm’. Also, remember that strain is a change in overal length, so you must divide the creep rate by the total length of the test part of the specimen (20 mm) to get strain rate, so: Seep rate (mm/min) 60x20 TecQuipment Ltd a User Guise