What type of testing assesses a material's performance under load?

When assessing a material's performance under load, the category of testing that applies encompasses a variety of methods that evaluate how materials behave when subjected to forces or deformations. This includes tests that measure strength, elasticity, ductility, and toughness—key characteristics that reveal how well a material can withstand mechanical stresses.

Mechanical testing broadly covers these aspects and may include specific tests such as tensile, compressive, bend, and fatigue tests. Each of these methods provides crucial insights into how a material will perform in real-world applications where it is subjected to various loads and forces.

In contrast, thermal testing focuses on a material's behavior in response to temperature changes, while electrochemical testing examines corrosion resistance and electrical properties. While compressive testing is indeed a method used to determine the compressive strength of materials, it is a subset of mechanical testing rather than a distinct category on its own. Thus, the most comprehensive answer regarding performance under load is mechanical testing, as it encompasses a variety of relevant assessments.