A process for automated temperature gradient crack growth testing has been developed and shown to be effective in characterizing crack growth properties which vary as a function of temperature. This method, which controls temperature while correcting for measurable temperature dependent material properties, has been used with DC electric potential drop and compliance techniques for a variety of specimen configurations. Its development has led to varied approaches for temperature dependent crack growth models used in life predictions and has enabled the investigation of temperature dependent fracture modes. Benefits to the aircraft engine industry include better understanding of temperature dependent material behavior, novel temperature-crack growth based design strategies, and reductions in material characterization costs.