Creep rupture of a phenolic-alumina particulate composite

The creep and creep rupture behaviour of a phenolic-alumina particulate composite was determined in an aqueous environment. Flexural creep tests were carried out in which the loading-point displacement was measured as a function of applied stress and time. The material exhibits power-law creep behaviour in which the steady-state creep rate is a power function of the initial applied elastic stress. The creep exponent was found to be 5.3. The creep rupture behaviour can be explained using a modified Monkman-Grant relationship which provides a failure criterion that is independent of applied stress and stress state.