This work describes a new test method for the experimental simulation of surface cracking during continuous casting. The IMC-B (In-Situ Material Characterisation - Bending) test ena-bles the investigation of samples which are formed straight from the liquid steel and are cooled to a bending temperature with defined cooling conditions. Afterwards, a 3 - point bending test is carried out, in which the sample is deformed at a constant temperature with defined strain rate and maximum strain. The first series of tests deals with the investigation of the second ductility trough of a Nb - microalloyed steel (straightening zone in continuous casting). Two different cooling strategies are simulated. The experiments are performed with different cooling conditions, bending temperatures and maximum strains. Finally the samples are subjected to metallographic examinations and the results are presented related to the cooling curves, detected surface cracks and differences in the microstructure.