Also known as room-temperature creep, this phenomenon occurs when metals with low melting points, like lead or zinc, gradually yield under a constant load well below their yield strength. Unlike standard plastic deformation from a sudden impact, it happens over months or years. Engineers must account for it when designing bolted joints or structural supports using soft alloys, as the material will slowly squeeze out of place.
Heard on the job
You can't use pure lead for that structural bracket because the cold flow will eventually cause the bolts to lose their tension.
Also heard as
- room-temperature creep