Book excerpt: Unique in its approach, this introduction to the physics of creep concentrates on the physical principles underlying observed phenomena. As such it provides a resource for graduate students in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, physics and chemistry as well as researchers in other fields. Following a brief mathematical treatment, the authors introduce creep phenomena together with some empirical laws and observations. The mechanisms of creep and diffusion under varying experimental conditions are subsequently analysed and developed. The second half of the text considers alloying in greater detail as well as exploring the structure and properties of superalloys and stress effects in these materials.