The problems solved by the chemography method based on fixing oxidative reactions of ultra-low concentrations on the surface of solids are discussed. This method makes it possible to fix physical defects (microcracks, destruction, violations of structural homogeneity) and the energy (residual stresses) state of the surface layer of materials under operating conditions under the action of thermobaric loading. The change in these parameters is associated with the degradation of the cutting surfaces and, as a result, with a change in the rate of the reactions taking place. Applied chemography phenomena as a method of visualization of a destructive layer, a network of surface micro cracks in studying the processes of destruction materials, including nonmetallic ones, is shown. The main advantages of this method are the possibility of assessing the level of residual stresses and periodic visualization of surface defects due to the state of the studied materials, including nonmetallic ones. A relationship has been established between the presence of defects, the level of residual stresses, and the intensity of emerging photo molecular fluxes. In the applied aspect, the method makes it possible to evaluate the performance of cutting plates, and to study the formation and development of a network of microcracks by the intensity of the chemographic effect.