What is destructive testing?

Destructive testing (often abbreviated as DT) is a test method conducted to find the
exact point of failure of materials, components, or machines. During the process, the
tested item undergoes stress that eventually deforms or destroys the material. Naturally,
tested parts and materials cannot be reused in regular operation after undergoing
destructive testing procedures.
Destructive testing is generally conducted before a component enters mass production.
OEMs need to know the limits of their products in order to give proper maintenance and
operating recommendations for their machines.
For example, industrial boilers are known for their ability to withstand large pressure and
high temperatures. The materials chosen to build the boilers play a huge role in
determining the pressure and temperature ratings of the boiler. Failure of industrial
boilers can cause a catastrophe in the plant. The materials used to build boilers are tested
to the extreme to identify the maximum pressure it can withstand. This way, only
materials with a generous safety margin are used to build each boiler.

Who performs destructive testing?

Destructive testing can be done internally or with the help of external testing services.
A specialized organization like NASA will conduct destructive testing within their
facilities. Other companies might hire external material testing facilities. Material testing
service providers can conduct destructive testing on behalf of OEMs to check whether the
components can work within the required parameters.
The expertise of such facilities can also be used to select the materials in the first place.
Material testing laboratories have an array of materials whose physical properties are
tested and recorded. Materials with the desired physical characteristics can be chosen
from their collections. In the U.S, Nadcap certified material testing laboratories can be
used to conduct destructive testing.
Destructive testing is conducted by specialized researchers, scientists, and
technicians. Who conducts it is determined by the type of destructive testing to be
done. Generally, destructive testing is done by:
 material scientists
 metallurgical and polymer engineers
  chemistry and electrochemical process experts
 failure analysis experts
 quality control analysts
 regulatory compliance experts
This is not a definite list, but it gives a good idea of the needed expertise to execute the
process, as well as the testing purpose.