Materials are tested to ensure quality, test properties, prevent failure, and inform material choices. There are two main types of tests: mechanical tests that physically destroy samples to measure properties, and non-destructive tests that inspect samples without damaging them. Hardness, tensile, impact, and creep tests provide mechanical property data, while magnetic particle, eddy current, ultrasonic, and radiography tests are common non-destructive techniques. Test results are used to evaluate factors like strength, ductility, and presence of internal flaws in materials.