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strain rates and includes the strain rate as low as ~10-8 s-1, the curves through the

individual experimental points generally could be extrapolated to lie essentially

vertical at a strain rate of ~10-10 s-1. Accordingly, the predicted stress level at this

low strain rate is very close to the threshold stress. Thus, using the values of

threshold stress, estimated at a strain rate of ~10-10 s-1, the creep data could be

replotted on the logarithmic scale between the measured strain rate against the

effective stress, ( σ − σ 0 ) or ( τ − τ 0 ), where σ , σ 0 , τ and τ 0 indicate the applied

normal stress, threshold stress under normal loading, applied shear stress and

threshold stress in shear respectively. The slope of logarithmic plots of strain rates

versus effective stress yields the value of true stress exponent n.

2.3.8 Characteristics and Origin of Threshold Stress

Several investigators have proposed plausible explanations for the

characteristics and origin of threshold stress while describing creep behavior of

composites. Pandey et al (1992) examined the effects of particulate size and

content on the creep behavior of SiCp/Al composites processed through powder

metallurgy (PM) route. It is observed that the values of threshold stress

estimated from ε& 1 / 8 versus σ plot by using linear extrapolation technique are

primarily dependent upon the volume fraction of the reinforcement but are

independent of the test temperature. Based on their experimental results, it is

suggested that the load transfer to the reinforcement may be responsible for the

origin of threshold stress. However, this approach fails to account for the

experimental observation that the unreinforced matrix alloy also exhibits

essentially similar threshold stress during creep, however there is no possibility