Property Classes

Physical	Dimensions, shape Density or specific gravity Porosity Moisture content Macrostructure Microstructure
Chemical	Oxide or compound composition Acidity or alkalinity Resistance to corrosion or weathering, etc.
Physico-chemical	Water-absorptive or water-repellent action Shrinkage and swell due to moisture changes
Mechanical	Strength Tension, compression, shear, and flexure Static, impact, endurance Stiffness Elasticity, plasticity Ductility, brittleness Hardness, wear resistance
Thermal	Specific heat Expansion Conductivity
Electrical and magnetic	Conductivity Magnetic permeability Galvanic action
Acoustic	Sound transmission Sound reflection
Optical	Color Light transmission Light reflection

From The Testing and Inspection of Engineering Materials, 3rd Ed., by H.E. Davis, G.E. Troxell, and C.T. Wiskocil, McGraw-Hill, 1964, p. 7.

Mechanical Characterization

Load Methods	Rate Regimes	Deformation Measurement
tension compression bearing shear hardness bend torsion pressure multiaxial combined	quasi-static dynamic cyclic high strain rate creep stress rupture stress relaxation fatigue	point-per-point
		strain gages extensometers LVDT
		full-field
		photoelasticity moiré interferometry shadow optical brittle coating
Environmental	Nondestructive	Miscellaneous
elevated/low temperature moisture chemicals corrosion	liquid penetrant acoustic emission acoustic transmission magnetic particle Eddy-current radiographic ultrasonic thermography microwave optical methods	formability wear modal analysis residual stresses fracture mechanics stress concentration