A tensile test involves applying tension to a sample until failure to determine its mechanical properties. A sample is held in grips and pulled at a constant rate, measuring the stress and strain as it elongates elastically and plastically. The stress-strain curve produced provides information on properties like tensile strength, elastic modulus, and ductility. Other common tests include compression, bending, torsion, and hardness tests, each providing data on how materials respond to different types of forces.