Slow crack growth is the main reason of fracture failure for polyethylene (PE) pipes. Currently

the test for slow crack growth which commonly used in the industry is lack of efficiency and reproducibility

which restrict the accurate evaluation for performance of slow crack growth resistance and development of PE pipes. In order to solve these problems

foreign scholars put forward two new test methods of fast evaluation-Strain Hardening Test Method (SH) and Cyclic Cracked Round Bar Test Method(CRB). Test procedures of these two methods are separately introduced

and research progresses of these two methods are reviewed from rationale and experimental study. It is suggested that future research should be in four aspects:investigating the test condition of strain hardening response at room temperature

combining the linear elastic fracture theory with CRB method

improving the life prediction method based on CRB method and indicating how these two methods can be applied to other plastic pipes.