Thermoplastic polymer composites (TPCs) have been widely applied as structural materials due to their superior mechanical properties and prolific besides their low costs. On the basis of the nature of viscoelasticity

the deformation of TPCs will inevitably increase with time extension under a constant stress. This phenomenon is called creep

which is followed by irrecoverable damages such as permanent deformation and fracture. Thus

creep can seriously decrease the durability of TPCs and limit their applications. This review discusses the essence and mechanism of creep on TPCs in detail. More importantly

the influencing rules of various factors

such as the molecular structure

fillers

stress

and temperature

and so on

on creep and properties of TPCs are analyzed and summarized. Based on these rules

the negative effect of creep can be controlled reasonably. This review also suggests a suitable methodology for obtaining TPCs with high creep resistance concisely. This is of great theoretical and practical value to fabricate materials with excellent comprehensive properties and achieve the application of them and their products.