SPE WEBINAR: Creep Failure of Plastics 

$29 for SPE Members
$209 for Nonmembers

Summary

Creep is the tendency of a polymeric material to deform permanently under the influence of constant stress, as applied through tensile, compressive, shear, or flexural loading. It occurs as a function of time through extended exposure to levels of stress that are below the yield strength of the material. Given sufficient time, this can lead to creep rupture, the failure within a material as a result of continuously applied stress at a level below the tensile strength. Plastic materials are particularly prone to creep rupture through exposure to static stresses, and a recent study indicates that 22% of plastic failures are associated with creep.

The relatively high frequency of creep failure is linked to the widespread lack of awareness and understanding of the effects of time on polymeric materials, particularly at the design stage; the unique difference in time dependence between polymeric materials and metals; and the increasing use of plastic materials in diverse applications with longer time demands.

The concept of creep is extremely important to manufacturers and users of plastic components.

This webinar will cover:

• Introduction to Creep
• Plastics Failure Mechanism
• Creep Failure Mechanism
• Generalizations of Creep
• Creep Testing and Lifetime Projection
• Creep Failure Case Studies

About Speaker

Jeffrey A. Jansen
Engineering Manager
The Madison Group

Jeffrey A. Jansen is the Engineering Manager and a Partner at The Madison Group, an independent plastics engineering and consulting firm. Jeff is a proven plastic professional with more than 30 years of experience solving problems and addressing opportunities related to polymeric materials. He specializes in failure analysis, material identification and selection, as well as compatibility, aging, and lifetime prediction studies for thermoplastic materials. Jeff has performed over 5,000 investigations, both for industrial clients and as a part of litigation. He is a regular presenter on the SPE webinar series, covering a wide range of topics related to plastics failure, material performance, testing, and polymer technology. Jeff is a graduate of Carroll College and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.