The extension of flux dispersion methods by the investigation of both the normal component of the magnetic leakage field as well as the tangential component opens the possibility of wider application of this method as does the analysis of the magnetic field associated with induced eddy currents as well as the electric field opens new possibilities. The use of pulsed eddy currents extends the possibility of using this invaluable method for the inspection of materials the nature of which prevents the use of convention eddy current techniques. When the less well known electromagentic effects such as convention eddy current techniques. When the less well known electromagnetic effects such as Magnetic anisotropy, Barkhausen noise and incremental permeability are added to the extension of the established methods it becomes possible to imagine and realise non-destructive testing systems which allow rapid and accurate assessment of both the surfaces and volumes of electrically conductive workpieces. In some applications it is possible to avoid physical contact between the sensing probes and the materials so avoiding wear on the probe and other associated problems.

These advances can be coupled to the advanced data acquisition and handling systems which are now available so allowing efficient analysis and presentation of the data. This paper summarises these possibilities and illustrates how they can be combined into a single powerful instrument.