Lithium-ion batteries are widely used as energy storage and dynamic power, while the capacity life of battery is one of the key factors affecting its further application. The electrochemical-mechanical multi-field coupling effect of the lithium-ion batteries during the cyclic charging and discharging process cause the damage accumulation for the electrode materials, thereby deteriorates the mechanical stability of the electrode materials, leading to multi-scale damage to the electrode materials, ultimately declining the battery life. In this study, the multi-scale failure behavior of LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂ (NCM) cathode materials were summarized through our previous research, and the experimental and simulation analysis method for studying the damage of electrode material are introduced systematically, to provide reference for selecting damage analysis methods at different scales. In addition, the failure mechanisms of NCM cathode materials at the scale of active particles and electrode coating were studied in-depth based on combination of experimental and simulated analysis, including electrochemical experimental of lithium-ion batteries, extended finite element method (XFEM), linear matching method (LMM) framework. The research work provides important guidance for the mechanism analysis of multi-scale failure behavior and microstructure modification of electrode materials.