Nondestructive testing (NDT) dates back to the late-1800s, to the railroad industry. The “Oil and Whiting” method of crack detection was used to find damage in heavy steel parts. It was a simple yet effective test involving soaking the steel in oil, painting it white, allowing it to dry and then observing for brown marks that indicated a crack.
NDT has come a long way over the last 200 years. Using the very latest in science and technology it can now help towards ensuring the safety and efficiency of materials, components and systems, across multiple industries. Because it is a non-invasive technique, it is seen as the gold standard in evaluating new and in-situ items.