{{Short description|Type of product test in quality assurance}}A '''physical test''' is a qualitative or quantitative procedure that consists of determination of one or more characteristics of a given product, process or service according to a specified procedure.<ref>ASTM E 1301, Standard Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Comparisons</ref> Often this is part of an experiment.
'''Physical testing''' is common in physics, engineering, and quality assurance.
==Purposes== Physical testing might have a variety of purposes, such as: * if, or verify that, the requirements of a specification, regulation, or contract are met * Decide if a new product development program is on track: Demonstrate proof of concept * Demonstrate the utility of a proposed patent * Provide standard data for other scientific, engineering, and quality assurance functions * Validate suitability for end-use * Provide a basis for Technical communication * Provide a technical means of comparison of several options * Provide evidence in legal proceedings
==Performance testing== Some physical testing is ''performance testing'' which covers a wide range of engineering or functional evaluations where a material, product, or system is not specified by detailed material or component specifications. Rather, emphasis is on the final measurable performance characteristics. Testing can be a qualitative or quantitative procedure. Many acceptance testing protocols employ performance testing e.g. In the stress testing of a new design of chair.
===Examples of performance testing=== * Structural testing: building and Construction Performance Testing * Fire protection (ASTM D176) * Packaging Performance (hazardous materials, dangerous goods, ASTM D4169) * Performance Index for Tires (ASTM F538) * Performance Test Code on Compressors and Exhausters (ASME PTC 10 - 1997) * Personal protective equipment performance * Several Defense Standards * Wear of Textiles (ASTM D123)
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Three point flexural test.jpg| Test fixture on universal testing machine File:US Navy 070409-N-3038W-002 Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Rene Tovar adjusts a connection point on a fixture hydraulic supply servo cylinder test station in the hydraulics shop aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier U.jpg|Hydraulic system testing File:Drop test haz-mat.jpg|Drop test of shipping container for missile File:ISEE-C_(ISEE_3)_in_dynamic_test_chamber.jpg|Engineers in NASA dynamic test chamber File:Honda Fit - Impact Still.jpg| Crash test of car striking a wall File:Cmp test 10.jpg|Fire testing materials and structures </gallery>
==See also== * Environmental chamber * Test method *Independent test organization *Measurement uncertainty
==References== {{reflist}} * Pyzdek, T, "Quality Engineering Handbook", 2003, {{ISBN|0-8247-4614-7}} * Godfrey, A. B., "Juran's Quality Handbook", 1999, {{ISBN|007034003X}}
Category:Metrology Category:Measurement Category:Quality control + Category:Product testing