The different categories of tests which can be conducted include tensile strength, as well as resistance to tearing, peeling, puncturing, compression, shearing and three-point bending, and the assessment of specific characteristics of a product component or assembly. Tensile strength testing equipment (often also called ‘universal testing machines’, as many also operate in compressive mode) are fundamental pieces of test equipment in many types of physical testing laboratories, and can be used to carry out a wide range of tests.