The papers published in these proceedings represent the latest developments in nondestructive characterization of materials. Topics include: nondestructive evaluation, process control, structural safety, acoustic emission, electromagnetics, lasers, optics, thermography, ultrasonics, vibrations, penetrating radiation, and x-rays. The papers in this volume are directed to one of two goals: (1) nondestructive methods for evaluation of materials during processing and manufacturing so that all end products will meet the highest standards of quality and safety; (2) nondestructive methods for evaluation of materials before any material alterations develop into a size large enough to be classified as a defect or a flaw which could be detected by conventional nondestructive testing. Most conferences in the nondestructive testing field either describe applications of well known routine techniques used in current engineering practice or new and improved techniques also being developed for this purpose. The main purpose of conventional nondestructive testing is to find defects or flaws in structures which would render the structures unsuitable and even hazardous for continued use.
