Structures of all sizes were subject to stresses over extended periods of time. Many structures consist of crystalline materials that could creep at room temperature. A recent discovery had revealed twinning to be a major creep mechanism in metals. Traditionally, twins in metals were believed to grow rapidly, but this discovery showed that twins could grow very slowly. Crystallographic models were presented to explain slow twin growth. The models had broad applicability to the understanding and developing materials for improved creep resistance.

Modeling Interstitial Diffusion Controlled Twinning in Alpha Titanium during Low-Temperature Creep. P.G.Oberson, Z.W.Wyatt, S.Ankem: Scripta Materialia, 2011, 65[7], 638-41