Method for detecting mechanical features of a material, in particular a metal material, the method comprising the steps of: - prearranging an indenter suitable for penetrating in a material to analyse for a measurable depth (h) with a measurable force; - creating a database comprising a plurality M of determined theoretical curves (P,h) Pt 1 =ft 1 (h), Pt 2 =ft 2 (h),... Pt J =ft J (h),... Pt M =ft M (h), reproducing the trend of the applied force responsive to the penetration depth (h), each of said theoretical curves being obtained starting from values of yield stress (σ sn) and strain-hardening coefficient (n) for a determined number of materials for which said values are known; - carrying out an indentation test on a sample to be analysed by said indenter by detecting and recording the values of force and depth (h) at a plurality of successive instants (t 1, t 2, t 3,...t i,.. t N) during the penetration of said indenter in the sample, obtaining a succession of couples of determined values ( Ps 1,hs 1), ( Ps 2,hs 2), ( Ps 3,hs 3),... ( Ps i,hs i)... ( Ps N,hs N) that define together a curve fs detected experimentally Ps=fs(hs) of the contact force versus the penetration (h) of the indenter in the deformed sample with respect to a reference system; the method characterised in that it furthermore provides the steps of: - analysing the succession of couples of determined values ( Ps 1,hs 1), ( Ps 2,hs 2), ( Ps 3,hs 3),... ( Ps i,hs i)... ( Ps N,hs N) and selecting from said database at least one of said theoretical curves that best approximates the experimentally detected curve; - displaying the values of the parameters of interest, in particular, elastic modulus, strain-hardening coefficient (n) and yield stress (σ sn) corresponding to said or each selected theoretical curve. - prearranging an indenter suitable for penetrating in a material to analyse for a measurable depth (h) with a measurable force; - creating a database comprising a plurality M of determined theoretical curves (P,h) Pt 1 =ft 1 (h), Pt 2 =ft 2 (h),... Pt J =ft J (h),... Pt M =ft M (h), reproducing the trend of the applied force responsive to the penetration depth (h), each of said theoretical curves being obtained starting from values of yield stress (σ sn) and strain-hardening coefficient (n) for a determined number of materials for which said values are known; - carrying out an indentation test on a sample to be analysed by said indenter by detecting and recording the values of force and depth (h) at a plurality of successive instants (t 1, t 2, t 3,...t i,.. t N) during the penetration of said indenter in the sample, obtaining a succession of couples of determined values ( Ps 1,hs 1), ( Ps 2,hs 2), ( Ps 3,hs 3),... ( Ps i,hs i)... ( Ps N,hs N) that define together a curve fs detected experimentally Ps=fs(hs) of the contact force versus the penetration (h) of the indenter in the deformed sample with respect to a reference system; - analysing the succession of couples of determined values ( Ps 1,hs 1), ( Ps 2,hs 2), ( Ps 3,hs 3),... ( Ps i,hs i)... ( Ps N,hs N) and selecting from said database at least one of said theoretical curves that best approximates the experimentally detected curve; - displaying the values of the parameters of interest, in particular, elastic modulus, strain-hardening coefficient (n) and yield stress (σ sn) corresponding to said or each selected theoretical curve.