A simple and versatile machine for creep testing at low loads (6–300 N) and on miniaturized specimens: Application to a Mg-base alloy

Abstract

High temperature creep testing at a very low load range (<10 N) on miniaturized specimens has always been a challenge due to inherent design limitation (such as significant preload) of the conventional creep testing machines. In the present study, the challenge was overcome by developing a simple and versatile horizontal creep testing machine to conduct creep tests in the loading range of ∼6–300 N in tension and in compression. The competence of the in-house-built horizontal creep machine was validated by conducting creep testing on dog-bone shaped sheet specimens of cast Mg-1Sn-1Ca (TX11) Mg-base alloy over a lower stress range of 1.6–5.9 MPa (equivalent load range of 6.4–18.1 N) at 450 °C and in the high stress range of 20–80 MPa (equivalent load range of 76–310 N) at 175 °C.