Study on the Transient Creep Stage by Small Beam Specimen with Fixed Constraints

Abstract

Abstract Three-point bending specimen with fixed constraint (TPBSF) has potential advantages in engineering application because of its simple stress state and easily achievement of rupture data. It is critical to accurately evaluate the creep curve of TPBSF for the application in engineering. In this study, TPBSF behavior of aluminium alloy A7N01 at 653K has been investigated at various loads in the range 12-20N. The creep curve clearly exhibited transient, steady-state and tertiary stages. The creep displacement data has been analysed according to the Garofalo’s equation. The rate of exhaustion of transient creep exhibited similarly dependence on load as steady-state displacement rate. It indicates that the transient and steady-state creep displacement of TPBSF obey the same kinetics law. The time to attain the steady-state stage and the rupture time are approximately inversely proportional to the rate of exhaustion of transient creep. The transient stage of TPBSF creep accounts for about 34% of the overall creep time. It is useful for predicting TPBSF creep deformation and residual life of the material.