Ductility is defined as the ability of a material to deform plastically before fracturing. Its measurement is of interest to those conducting metal forming processes, to designers of machines and structures, and to those responsible for assessing the quality of a material as it is being produced.

Industrial borescopes generally fall into two categories: rigid borescopes and flexibleborescopes, also known as fiberscopes. The type of borescope employed is contingenton the application. These devices are used in a number of industries to attainquality assurance, enabling inspection for manufacturing defects withoutnecessitating part destruction. They also are used in equipment maintenance programs,eliminating the need for teardowns when checking for defects.

FLAMATT, SWITZERLAND-The board of directors of the Comet Group, a manufacturer of components and systems for the growth markets of inspection, security, electronics and communication, appoints Pascal Weyermann as new head of human resources and member of the executive committee. Weyermann has an extensive track record of achievement in strategic and operational human resources management.

WALTHAM, MA-Olympus NDT has decided to publish a fourth book on phased array ultrasonic testing.

ALMELO, THE NETHERLANDS-Frans Schaeken, a cathode assembler in PANalytical’s X-ray tube factory in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, has been awarded the 2006 Ir. Noordhof prize in recognition of his exceptional craftsmanship in engineering.

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ-The Mistras Holdings Corp. announces the appointment of Michael Allgaier as director of training and certification.

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ-The Mistras Holdings Corp. has announced its name change to Mistras Group Inc. Accompanying this change is the formal unveiling of a new corporate identity that was developed by its employees, reflecting Mistras’ growth and multinational, multifaceted nature of its business.

ROCHESTER, NY-Carestream Health Inc. announces that Eastman Kodak Co.'s former nondestructive testing group is officially operating as part of Carestream Health. Last January, Onex Corp. announced its intentions to acquire Kodak’s Health Group, which included the Nondestructive Testing business, a maker of film and digital imaging solutions for the industrial radiography market. Now that the purchase is complete, the Health Group is doing business as Carestream Health.

BARTLETT, IL-Herrmann Ultrasonic Inc., the North American headquarters of the Herrmann Group, announces several leadership developments. Thomas Herrmann, formerly general manager of Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc., returns to Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik GmbH & Co. KG to assume the position of CEO sales and finances. He remains president and CEO of Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc.

BILLERICA, MA-With the incorporation of its X-ray applications laboratory from Cincinnati into its Lewistown, PA, facility, GE Inspection Technologies now offers three modalities of nondestructive testing at one in-house location. GE invested more that $350,000 in 2006 in its Lewistown laboratory.