Non-destructive testing

Non-destructive test methods test the Material of a workpiece or component without damaging it. The measuring processes used are based on mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, optical or chemical principles. The simplest non-destructive material test is a visual inspection of a material for external defects.

A distinction is made between static test methods, which are based on measuring a field, and dynamic methods, in which the interaction of elastic or electromagnetic waves with interfaces is recorded.

Static methods include, for example:

• Potential field measurement (electrochemical)
• Magnetic-particle testing (magnetic)
• Stray field measurement (magnetic)
• Eddy-current test (electrical)

Dynamic methods include:

• Ultrasonic test (mechanical)
• X-ray examination (electromagnetic)
• Infrared thermography (thermal)
• Radiographic testing (electromagnetic)
• Acoustic Resonance analysis (mechanical)

Other non-destructive test methods include mechanical methods such as leak tests and testing with a rebound hammer.