This paper describes the use of nonlinear acoustic techniques for the characterization of material damage gradient in 99.98% pure copper due to high temperature creep. Creep damage progression was monitored by conducting continuous and interrupted modes of creep tests. In case of continuous loading, nonlinear ultrasonic (NLU) measurements were conducted, after fracture at different locations along the gage length of the sample. For interrupted tests, the NLU measurements were conducted at different creep life fractions, through periodic interruption of creep test. The third harmonic was more sensitive to creep damage compared to second and static component nonlinearity. All samples show one peak in the nonlinear response at 25-45% of creep life. Finally, we presented the results of nonlinear response working at low power levels, since the interesting effect of accumulated dislocations. Using that effect we applied to creep damage detection. In this the NLU amplitude vs. input amplitude was observed to correlate well with the micro-void concentrations caused by creep conditions. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.