Most common and basic inspection method. Visual examination means the inspection of objects with the naked eye or with the sole aid of low-magnification lenses or endoscopes.

The correct and thorough visual examination of the objects and of the morphological characteristics of their surfaces is of fundamental importance in the diagnosis of metallurgical defects.

Visual examination is essential as a first non-destructive test of both raw materials intended for production and finished or semi-finished products. When it is not possible to directly access the object or surface to be examined, more or less sophisticated equipment such as borescopes, endoscopes and cameras are used.