Abstract: A gauge for use with a test specimen that is made of a preselected ablative material to be tested, and that is in a high temperature gaseous flow (i.e., a hot environment) which is capable of ablating the test specimen, and which also is capable of inducing, and of exerting on the test specimen, a resultant shear force (i.e., a shear force vector) that comprises constituent axial and lateral forces. The test specimen is bonded on the mounting surface of a block member (of the gauge) that is positioned on bearings, within a housing, for movement in axial and lateral directions. A plurality of force sensors are positioned around the perimeter of the block member, and the constituent axial and lateral forces of the resultant shear force that is acting on the test specimen are transmitted to these sensors. The components of the gauge are protected from shock by their structure and positional relationship, and are protected from overheating by the water-cooling of the housing.