In destructive testing, tests are carried out to the specimen’s failure. These tests are generally much easier to carry out, yield more information, and are easier to interpret than nondestructive testing.

Testing of an object is often done in view of future use, which would make destructive testing pointless. However, it can be useful if the result gives information about similar specimens which are not tested.

Some types of destructive testing:

• Stress tests
• Fatigue tests
• Hardness Tests