Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is a generic term for material testing methods that provide information on the properties of a material or product without damaging or affecting the state or usability of it.

As the testing methods are based on different physical principles, they have different advantages and limitations. Below is a list of the most commonly used methods and their internationally accepted abbreviations.

Recognised term and method 

PT - Penetrant Testing
MT - Magnetic Particle Testing
UT - Ultrasonic Testing
ET - Eddy Current Testing
RT - Radiographic Testing
AE - Acoustic Emission Testing
VT - Visual Testing

Below are some examples of the many activities in which NDT is used daily:
- steel industry
- aviation industry
- nuclear power industry
- shipbuilding industry
- chemical industry
- car industry
- space industry
- oil and gas industry
- concrete industry (e.g., bridges, dams)