No single non-destructive testing (NDT) technique or method is satisfactory to fully assess the structural integrity of a material. Indeed, each method presents some limitations in terms of defect detection and characterisation. Additionally, poor signal to-noise ratio may make signal interpretation complex or unreliable. For these reasons, the concept of NDT data fusion - based on the synergistic use of information from multiple sources in order to facilitate signal interpretation and increase defect detection and characterisation - is expanding rapidly. A carbon fibre reinforced composite material previously subject to low energy impact damage has been non-destructively inspected using eddy current and infrared thermography. Following these non-destructive examinations, the information gathered from these two NDT methods has been fused at pixel level. Several well established and recognised data fusion processes based on statistical and probabilistic algorithms were used to combine eddy current and infrared thermographic data. The results obtained with these processes are presented in this paper and their efficiency discussed. It is shown that, in certain cases, NDT data fusion at pixel level may be adequate to increase knowledge about defect location and characterisation and to reduce ambiguity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
