Indentation creep plastometry is performed on a sample 4 by applying a load with an indenter 5. The sample 4 has a recess 6 shaped to match the shape of the contact surface of the indenter 5, which may be spherical. The load is applied over a time period and a creep characteristic of the sample 4 is determined based on the shape and size of the contact surface, the applied load and the progressive penetration of the indenter 5 into the sample 4. The progressive penetration of the indenter 5 may be numerically modelled to determine the time-dependent plastic deformation of the sample 4. There may be a furnace 7 for heating the indenter apparatus to a homologous temperature of the sample greater than 0.5. The indenter 5 may have a second contact surface and may be placed between two samples (4a, 4b, fig 3) and a load applied to press the indenter 5 into both samples to determine a creep characteristic.
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