A compression testing assembly for compression testing of a test material includes a testing stage with a first surface and a second surface. The test material is disposed between the first and second surfaces. The assembly also includes a thickness detector that automatically detects a thickness of the test material. Moreover, the assembly includes an actuator that moves at least one of the first and second surfaces toward the other of the first and second surfaces to compress the test material to a predetermined percentage of the detected thickness of the test material. Additionally, the assembly includes a load detector that detects a compression load of the test material and that detects a change in the compression load over time.