Nondestructive Testing and Microanalysis

The terms nondestructive testing and microanalysis refer to techniques for examining the internal structure and analyzing the composition of objects that, because of aesthetic or other considerations, cannot be studied by conventional techniques. 

Optical (visual) Cracks, color, finish, scratches 

Radiographic Inclusions, voids, materials variations, placement of internal components 

Microanalysis is the common name used to refer to a variety of techniques for identifying, characterizing, and evaluating minute amounts of materials. Some microanalytical techniques are scaled-down versions of well-known conventional or physical analytical techniques others are specialized techniques that can be implemented only on extremely small samples. Table 11 lists the minimum size of samples required for microanalysis and the minimum amount of substance detectable by microanalytical techniques (Janssens and Van Grieken 2004). 

TABLE 11 Analytical Techniques and Size of Sample Required 

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