AWS Welding Inspection and Testing Certification Practice Test

Which of the following is not considered a method for non-destructive testing?

1. Tensile strength

2. Ultrasonic testing

3. Visual inspection

4. Magnetic particle testing

The correct answer is: Tensile strength

Tensile strength testing measures a material's ability to withstand pulling forces and involves physically testing a sample until it fails. This process is destructive because it permanently alters or destroys the specimen being tested, eliminating its usability for further applications. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, on the other hand, enable the evaluation of materials or components without compromising their future integrity or functionality. In contrast, ultrasonic testing employs high-frequency sound waves to detect internal flaws, visual inspection assesses the surface conditions of materials, and magnetic particle testing identifies surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. All these methods are designed to detect defects or characterization of materials without causing damage, highlighting their classification as non-destructive testing techniques.