Electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation: Present and future

Abstract

Appearing more than 125 years ago, the electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation has transformed form "art" to an engineering science, which is recognized. This development supposed the elaboration of theories based on Maxwell equations, of adequate transducers and afferent measurement electronics. Together with the development of computer science, the domain has made a spectacular leap. This paper presents a review of theoretical principles, numbering a few methods for solving forward and inverse problems, a review of the principal transducers types, electronics and the possibility of automatic interpretation of control results. Few directions where the domain might develop are sketched, starting from the observation that new types of materials, structures, complex equipments that shall be controlled, permanently appear. The purpose is constituted by obtaining a much higher probability of detecting for the highest possible reliability coefficient for the electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation of materials.