Metal magnetic memory (MMM) is a newly developed non-destructive testing (NDT) technique. It has potentials to detect early failure, such as stress concentration, micro-crack and fatigue damage of ferromagnetic components. This paper outlines the recent developments of the mechanism studies on the MMM technique. Several advances in experimental investigations on the MMM technique are also summarized, e.g. the factors which can influence the detection signals, the criteria for judging the damage state and the magnetic parameters which can be used to assess the testing results. Finally, some future development trends about this technique are suggested.
