Abstract: A non-contact acousto-thermal method and apparatus are provided for detection of incipient damage in materials. The apparatus utilizes an ultrasonic horn which receives an acoustic wave generated by an ultrasonic transducer energized by an RF pulse. The ultrasonic horn is placed at a distance from the sample to be tested with sufficient gap so that when excited, the face of the ultrasonic horn does not come into contact with the sample. An IR camera is placed at a distance from the opposite side of the sample. The acoustic wave is amplified by the ultrasonic horn, and the interaction between the sample and the acoustic wave produces changes in the temperature of the sample in the region of interaction during acoustic excitation such that the temperature of the material rapidly increases. The temperature-time profile is captured by the IR camera and may be analyzed by a data acquisition unit.