The design and development is described of a variable load tension-compression creep machine (±50 kN) which overcomes the disadvantages of servo-hydraulic and recirculating ball screw testing machines. The use of dead weight levers to apply specimen loads ensures the achievement of low running costs. Screwed end specimens are used with a 25.40 mm parallel sided gauge length and a diameter of 12.70 mm. It is shown that, provided modest rates of loading (0.4 kN/s) are used, high accuracy ‘through zero’ loadings can be achieved. The machine has been shown to operate satisfactorily for long periods under tension-compression high temperature creep.
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