secondary creep

Secondary creep is a stage in the deformation of a material like metal or plastic under a steady, moderate load over time. After an initial period where the material quickly deforms (primary creep), it enters a phase where the deformation rate becomes almost constant. During this stage, the material slowly and steadily stretches or changes shape without immediate failure. Secondary creep can last a long time and is important to consider in the design of structures or components that are expected to last years or decades, as it gradually weakens the material and could lead to failure if continued.