Acoustical holography is a real-time nondestructive testing technique which produces a visual image of the internal structure of the part being examined. This technique uses ultrasound to visually detect the presence of any anomalous condition in the material under test. Since the visual image presented shows the position and orientation of all flaws, the integrity of the material is immediately determined. The detection of cracks, voids, nonbonds, and other anomalous conditions interior to metals, ceramics, and plastics can be carried out on a high-volume, production-line basis. Various applications to the automotive industry are discussed.
