Official Answer
Answer
Load loss, or stress relaxation, occurs when the operating temperature exceeds the material's stability threshold, causing the elastic deformation to convert into plastic deformation (creep). For instance, a carbon steel spring will begin to relax at temperatures as low as $250^{\circ}F$. The atoms in the lattice gain enough thermal energy to migrate, reducing the internal tension. If a system fails due to load loss, the spring's free height will be measured as significantly shorter than its original specification. The remedy is to upgrade to a more thermally stable alloy like Inconel X-750 or A286, which are designed to maintain their lattice structure at higher temperatures.
