How is the effectiveness of an NDT method commonly evaluated?

The effectiveness of a nondestructive testing (NDT) method is primarily assessed by its ability to detect significant flaws and its sensitivity to limitations. This means that a method must not only find defects in materials but also ensure that it can do so with a high degree of accuracy and reliability. An effective NDT technique must be capable of distinguishing between acceptable flaws and critical ones, as well as recognize its inherent limitations in detecting certain types or sizes of defects. This sensitivity to the limitations is crucial for maintaining safety and quality standards in various industries.

While speed, technician experience, and cost are also important considerations in practical applications of NDT, they do not directly measure the effectiveness of a method in terms of flaw detection and accuracy. Speed may affect operational efficiency, and technician experience can influence the application of the technique, but these factors can vary widely without affecting the fundamental capabilities of the NDT method itself. Cost is also a practical concern but does not relate to the intrinsic effectiveness of the method in detecting flaws. Therefore, the main focus when evaluating NDT methods remains on their detection capabilities and limitations.