Materials testing

Written by Technical Center - Materials Engineering Editorial Team on March 5, 2026.

TCTechnical Center - Materials Engineering Editorial TeamMaterials Testing & Failure Analysis • Technical CenterLast updated: March 2026 • 1 min read

Definition: Materials testing comprises all test methods for determining the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of a material. It serves to establish standardised characteristic values and to verify conformity with specifications. Tests can be carried out destructively or non-destructively.

Practical relevance: Typical mechanical tests are the tensile test (DIN EN ISO 6892-1), hardness testing (ISO 6506/6507/6508) and the notched-bar impact test (ISO 148-1). These are complemented by corrosion tests, microstructure analyses and spectral analyses. The results form the basis for material releases, quality assurance and safety assessments.

Decision-making perspectives:

Technical decision-makers: Assessment of strength, toughness and suitability for defined operating conditions.
Purchasing/project management: Requirement for standard-compliant test certificates (e.g. EN 10204 3.1) and acceptance criteria.
Science: Analysis of relationships between microstructure and characteristic values.
Insurance/law: Verification of specification-compliant properties in disputes or damage cases.

Typical testing or verification methods: Tensile test, hardness testing, notched-bar impact test, metallography, spectral analysis, NDT.

FAQ:

What is the difference between destructive and non-destructive materials testing?
Destructive tests determine characteristic values up to failure, whereas non-destructive methods test components without causing damage.