5.1 The determination of the creep rate provides information on the behavior of sandwich constructions under constant applied force. Creep is defined as deflection under constant force over a period of time beyond the initial deformation as a result of the application of the force. Deflection data obtained from this test method can be plotted against time, and a creep rate determined. By using standard specimen constructions and constant loading, the test method may also be used to evaluate creep behavior of sandwich panel core-to-facing adhesives.

5.2 This test method provides a standard method of obtaining flexure creep of sandwich constructions for quality control, acceptance specification testing, and research and development.

5.3 Factors that influence the sandwich construction creep response and shall therefore be reported include the following: facing material, core material, adhesive material, methods of material fabrication, facing stacking sequence and overall thickness, core geometry (cell size), core density, core thickness, adhesive thickness, specimen geometry, specimen preparation, specimen conditioning, environment of testing, specimen alignment, loading procedure, speed of testing, facing void content, adhesive void content, and facing volume percent reinforcement. Further, facing and core-to-facing strength and creep response may be different between precured/bonded and co-cured facesheets of the same material.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the creep characteristics and creep rate of flat sandwich constructions loaded in flexure, at any desired temperature. Permissible core material forms include those with continuous bonding surfaces (such as balsa wood and foams) as well as those with discontinuous bonding surfaces (such as honeycomb).

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.