Destructive testing (DT) is used to evaluate the material properties of structures, parts and components by subjecting samples to extreme conditions (like stretching, bending, crushing) to the point of failure.
This type of destructive testing reveals the hardness, strength, and toughness of the materials being tested, which can be used to ensure safety, quality and compliance of parts, components and structures.
Common tests include bend tests, Charpy impact tests, fatigue testing, tensile testing, hardness tests and corrosion testing. Although this type of testing destroys the test specimen, they can be vital for R&D and quality control, to understand mechanical properties and material limits to advise on structural integrity. While these tests can provide details of properties like the ultimate tensile strength of welded joints, they are impractical for testing a large number of products as they destroy the finished part, which can be costly in materials usage.
Common Destructive Testing Techniques
Commonly-used destructive testing techniques include:
- Tensile Testing: Stretching an object until it breaks to find ultimate and yield strength
- Impact Testing: Striking an object to measure resistance to sudden force (toughness)
- Hardness Testing: Assessing resistance to indentation (Rockwell, Brinell).
- Bend/Ductility Testing: Checking flexibility without cracking – particularly useful for welds
- Corrosion Testing: Exposing objects to different simulated harsh environments
Used by a range of different industries, includingaerospace, automotive (crash tests), oil and gas, infrastructure, and construction, destructive tests provide critical data that is used to ensure compliance and prevent failures. The downside is that, unlike non-destructive testing (NDT), destructive testing consumes the tested sample, making it costly for mass-produced items; meaning that it is typically used for prototypes or batches, rather than checking every part.