Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation of Hybrid and Advanced Structures: A Comprehensive Review of Methods,...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering

Background:

• Traditional non-destructive testing (NDT) and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods face limitations with advanced engineered materials.
• Complex architectures like composites and functionally graded materials require novel inspection techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a multi-dimensional classification of NDT/NDE methods.
• To review established and emerging techniques for hybrid and multi-material systems.
• To discuss the role of NDE 4.0 in intelligent diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Classification of NDT/NDE by physical principles, functional objectives, and application domains.
• Review of established techniques (ultrasonics, radiography, thermography, acoustic emission).
• Exploration of emerging modalities (capacitive sensing, electromechanical impedance, AI-enhanced platforms).

Main Results:

• Comparative evaluation of performance metrics (sensitivity, resolution, adaptability) for various NDT/NDE methods.
• Identification of integration strategies for embedded and multimodal sensing systems.
• Discussion of challenges in environmental sensitivity, data interpretation, and standardization.

Conclusions:

• Emerging NDT/NDE techniques and AI-enhanced platforms are crucial for inspecting complex materials.
• NDE 4.0 promises automated, real-time, and predictive structural assessment.
• This review serves as a reference for developing next-generation NDT/NDE solutions.