Creep Rate Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the creep rate calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Steady-State Creep Rate

creep_rate = prefactor * pow(stress, stress_exp) * exp(-q_j / (8.314 * temp_k))

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
stressApplied Stress (sigma)(MPa)100
stress_expStress Exponent (n)5
temp_kTemperature(K)800
activationActivation Energy (Q)(kJ/mol)250
prefactorPre-exponential Constant (A)10000000000
q_jDerived value= activation * 1000calculated

How It Works

Steady-State Creep Rate

Creep is the slow, time-dependent deformation of materials under sustained load at elevated temperatures. The secondary (steady-state) creep rate follows a power-law Arrhenius equation.

Formula

epsilon_dot = A × sigma^n × exp(-Q / (R × T))

where A is a material constant, sigma is the applied stress, n is the stress exponent (3-8 for metals), Q is the activation energy for creep, R = 8.314 J/(mol·K) is the gas constant, and T is absolute temperature.

Worked Example

A nickel alloy at 800 K under 100 MPa (A=1e10, n=5, Q=250 kJ/mol).

stress = 100stress_exp = 5temp_k = 800activation = 250prefactor = 10000000000
  1. 01sigma^n = 100^5 = 1 × 10^10
  2. 02Q/(RT) = 250000 / (8.314 × 800) = 37.57
  3. 03exp(-37.57) = 4.83 × 10^-17
  4. 04Creep rate = 1e10 × 1e10 × 4.83e-17 = 4.83 × 10^3 s^-1 ... (values depend on actual A)

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Creep Rate Calculator