Abstract: Resistivity is precise and sensitive with the change of microstructure. In recent years, the characterization on damage of metal materials based on the method of electrical resistance has been studied widely with the increment of precision of electrical resistance measurement. The mapping relationship of the parameter of elasticity modulus, tensile strength, fracture toughness, hardness, aging time, fatigue time etc. and the parameter of electrical resistance were reviewed in this paper, the values of these parameters of different metal materials were measured at different damage environments such as drawing, high temperature aging, high cycle fatigue and creeping. The micromechanism of electrical resistance changes, which was influenced by deformation, was discussed. In addition, the main research orientation in this field was predicted.