Nondestructive Materials Characterization

Abstract

In materials production industries it has become increasingly evident that nondestructive techniques are required in order to monitor and control as many stages in the manufacturing process as possible. Ideally it would be desirable to have nondestructive measurement techniques which are capable of monitoring the production process; the material stability during transport, storage, and fabrication; and the rate of degradation of materials during their in-service life. Although, historically, nondestructive techniques have been used to detect flaws in a qualitative manner, in recent years increased attention has been given to the development of more sophisticated techniques for the quantitative nondestructive characterization of materials in order to assure that the devices and structures fabricated from these materials function properly and safely throughout their intended service life. Several such innovative nondestructive materials characterization techniques are described in the present paper. Finally, some comments will be made with regard to the role to be played by nondestructive materials characterization in the manufacture of advanced materials in the 21st century.