Compression testing is a testing method that is used to establish the compressive force or crush resistance of a material and the ability of the material to recover after a specified compressive force is applied. It is often seen as the opposite to a common tension test.
The compression test determines the behaviour of materials under crushing loads. Compressive stress and strain are then calculated and plotted as a stress-strain diagram which is used to determine, elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point, yield strength and, for some materials, compressive strength.
The test sample is generally placed in between two plates that distribute the applied load across the entire surface area of two opposite faces of the test sample and then the plates are pushed together by a universal test machine causing the sample to flatten.
The following materials are typically subjected to a compression test.
Plastics
Ceramics
Composites
Corrugated Cardboard
Complete Products are often tested for structural integrity.
