Anomaly vs. Defect? Why don’t professionals use these terms correctly?

Published on 10 June 2025 at 16:01

I have seen and read respectable professionals using the term “defect” for anything that is not correct in an engineering material. With the aim of clarifying them, these are the definitions.

Anomaly:

An anomaly is any deviation from expected, normal, or specified material behavior, properties, or characteristics, regardless of whether it is acceptable or not.

Defect:

A defect is a specific kind of anomaly that fails to meet defined acceptance criteria or specifications, and thus may compromise performance, safety, or reliability.

Relationship Between Anomaly and Defect:

All defects are anomalies, but not all anomalies are defects.

Example:

Anomaly: A small void is found in a casting during RT. This is unexpected; thus, it’s an anomaly.

Defect: If that void exceeds the size limit defined in the acceptance criteria, it becomes a defect!

Which term do you normally use? What do you think about “laps” and “silvers”. Are they the same type of “anomaly”? Are they “defects”? Please, leave your comment below!


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Comments

James Guillory
2 days ago

Defect. But both can apply

Juan Carlos
a day ago

Thanks James! In a future blog, I will explain the process of how qualify an anomaly as defect. This explanation might reinforce the concepts of them. Regards!