There are several mechanical tests performed on composite materials which characterizes a materials physical properties.  As you can see from the picture above, the instrument (MTS) has 2 jaw like features located vertically in which a sample is placed to either place tension (pull) or compress (push) on the material.  There are several experiments that can be performed using an instrument like this and some of them are listed below.  The physical properties include:  how much can you pull on it till it breaks or deforms, how much can you push on it till it breaks or deforms, how much can you heat it till it degrades or deforms, etc.  The primary mechanical tests which are listed below are certainly not the only techniques, however, they are the more common tests found in reference books and physical testing labs.  Note that these tests characterize the properties outlined in the Mechanical Properties section of the site.
 

Stress vs. Strain Curves	Compression Tests
Bend Testing	Abrasion, Wear, and Scratch Resistance
Hardness and Indentation	Creep

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