The generalization of experimental results on destruction of samples in various schemes of loading is carried out on the basis of structural - temporal criterion of destruction. Experiments are executed with application of the magnetic-pulse method which allows to define the parameters of influencing a material of pressure pulse authentically. The received data demonstrate not only threshold character of destruction but also essential increase of the basic characteristics of process of destruction such as the rupture stress and the surface energy of destruction under microsecond range loading. Interconnection of these parameters has allowed to determine the critical size (scale) of destruction.