Abstract
The design and performance evaluation of a sustained load creep testing machine was undertaken in this research. The design was motivated by the need to make locally available, a cost effective, technically efficient, and easily operated creep testing facility; for creep behaviour studies of materials. Design drawings and purchase of materials and components for the design were undertaken after thorough evaluation of the following design and materials selection criteria: design principle and theory, local availability of raw materials and components required for the design, material properties, cost of materials and design, ease of utilization and maintenance, and basis of testing and data capture. The machine casing and frame, heating chamber (consisting of the furnace and a dual specimen mounting stage), load lever and hanger system, and the electro-technical components; were fabricated and coupled following the produced design specifications. The machine was tested and its performance was assessed using its heating efficiency, repeatability and reproducibity of experimental test results, maintainability and cost-effectiveness as criteria. It was observed from repeat tests that the machine has the capacity of generating reliable data for computing creep strain-time results. The efficiency and temperature regulating capacity of the heating unit of the machine were also observed to be very satisfactory. The cost of the design was about 112,000 Naira ($700.00) which is cheaper in comparison to similar commercial creep testing machines from abroad. The machine was also found not to pose maintenance or repairs challenges.
Highlights
Creep has been acknowledged to be the most active failure mechanism of engineering materials under stress at elevated temperature conditions [1]
There is a lot of interest in understanding the creep behaviour of materials for high temperature applications
It is imperative in materials design for high temperature applications, to account for creep behaviour to safeguard against likely failure short of projected design life time
Summary
Creep has been acknowledged to be the most active failure mechanism of engineering materials under stress at elevated temperature conditions [1]. From a mechanical behaviour of materials perspective, creep mechanism is influenced by the increased atom mobility, vacancy density, and ease of dislocation glide or climb at elevated temperature [3] [4]. These phenomena often combine to facilitate permanent deformation which results in material rupture in severe creep cases [4]. Due to exposure to intermittent solar radiation, the creep behaviour of these polymer based materials has come under scrutiny [7] It is imperative in materials design for high temperature applications, to account for creep behaviour to safeguard against likely failure short of projected design life time. Some of the potential benefits of the design are low cost, maintainability, accessibility, and adaptability for research and experimental demonstrations
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