Compression testing is a very common 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 and even held over a defined period of time. Compression tests are used to determine the material behavior under a load. The maximum stress a material can sustain over a period under a load (constant or progressive) is determined.

Compression testing is often done to a break (rupture) or to a limit. When the test is performed to a break, break detection can be defined depending on the type of material being tested. When the test is performed to a limit, either a load limit or deflection limit is used.

Common compression testing results are:
 
• Load at Rupture
• Deflection at Rupture
• Work at Rupture
• Maximum Load
• Deflection at Maximum Load
• Work at Maximum Load
• Stiffness
• Chord Slope
• Offset Yield
• Stress
• Strain