Method and apparatus for testing materials

An apparatus for performing tests on materials, the apparatus comprising a leaktight receptacle defining an inside volume, said receptacle being provided:

• with an opening;
• with means for providing leaktight contact between the edges of said opening and a portion of a surface of a test piece of a material disposed outside said receptacle;
• with means for introducing at least one chemical agent in order to create, within said inside volume, a test chemical environment to which said surface portion of the test piece is exposed;
• with drain means for draining said introduced chemical agent(s);
• with a bottom including a surface that is inclined or conical and that cooperates with said drain means to enable said introduced chemical agent(s) to be removed totally or in part;
• and
• including means for applying mechanical stress to said test piece, said means being situated outside said receptacle, wherein said means for applying mechanical stress comprise means for applying traction stress in a direction parallel to said surface portion of the test piece that is exposed to said test chemical environment.