Most if not all materials undergo deterioration of their mechanical properties during service through one mechanism or another with eventual failure occurring due to this deterioration. As structures remain in service then, it becomes increasingly important that periodic evaluation of the material properties be accomplished in order to allow repair or replacement of structural members before catastrophic failure occurs. A group of Nickel-based alloys, collectively known as Inconel, is such a structurally important material. Inconel 718, in particular, shows signs of a “thermal embrittlement” as a function of operating temperature and time exposed to this temperature.