A technique for the examination of the dynamic‐tensile‐strength characteristics of materials is presented. The dependence of tensile strength upon stress gradient, hence stress rate, is demonstrated for Al, Cu, Ni, and Pb. The results were tested and found to be self‐consistent in that once the dynamic‐tensile‐strength characteristics have been measured they can be incorporated into the numerical calculations, which then can be used to predict complex multilayer spall behavior even in layers of dissimilar materials.