There are a variety of test methods that can be applied in materials testing:

• In (quasi-) static testing or static materials testing loading on the specimen is slow and constant. In static materials testing the strength and deformation behavior of specimens and components, predominantly subjected to tension, compression, and flexure, as well as shearing or torsion, is determined. Static materials testing, relative to dynamic materials testing is performed with lower test speeds. 

• For dynamic testing the specimen is subjected to an impact load or the load periodically influences the specimen over a longer period of time. Dynamic materials testing refers to the (destructive) test on materials or components, which is performed with quick movement (dynamic). Examples include pendulum impact testers, drop weight testers, high-speed tests (puncture or high-speed tensile tests).

• Cyclic materials testing: in cyclic materials testing, loading on the specimen takes place in continuously recurring load cycles. Depending on the machine, these load cycles can be in the form of tensile/compression, pulsating or alternating load in sinusoidal shape, triangle shape, etc.

In destructive materials testing, specimens are extracted from a material and tested for mechanical or chemical loads. The specimen is destroyed or altered (on the surface). After the test, the tested component, or material specimen can no longer be used.

Destructive materials testing particularly plays an important part in the automotive industry and aerospace engineering, since here material fatigue presents a very high risk factor. However, materials and components testing has also become indispensable in medical engineering.

In most test methods the specimen is destroyed:

• Tensile test
• Compression test/crush test
• Flexure test
• Fatigue test
• Impact test
• Drop weight test
• Puncture test
• High-speed tensile test
• Sheet metal forming
• Shear test
• Torsion test
• Biaxial test
• Creep test

In non-destructive materials testing the quality of a workpiece is tested, without damaging it. In this way it can be ensured that the material quality is high enough for further processing and that it can reliably stand up to loads for the long-term.

Non-destructive test methods include:

• Hardness test
• Static and dynamic friction test
• Rebound test
• Component testing
• Function test