The Requirements for Testing

Abstract

Testing is an essential part of any engineering activity. Inspection and testing must take place at many stages in the complex process of producing engineering materials, be they metals, polymers, ceramics or composites, and during the forming of these materials into components and assembling the components to create an engineering product to satisfy some specific requirement. The requirement for testing does not automatically cease when the product has been manufactured. It is frequently necessary to check and test the article during its service life in order to monitor changes, such as the possible development of fatigue or corrosion damage.