Non-destructive testing (NDT) also known as non-destructive examination (NDE), non-destructive inspection (NDI) and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) is an analysis technique used by industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component, structure or system without causing damage.
Today modern non-destructive tests are used in manufacturing, fabrication and in-service inspections to ensure product integrity and reliability. During construction, NDT is used to ensure the quality of materials and joining processes during the fabrication and erection phases, and in-service NDT inspections are used to ensure that the products in use continue to have the integrity necessary to ensure their usefulness and the safety of the public.