Abstract: As a new non-destructive evaluation method, the nonlinear ultrasonic wave mixing technology has attracted much attention in recent years due to its unique advantages, such as spatial selection, waveform transform, frequency selection and controllable direction. In wave mixing technique, the non-destructive evaluation of mechanical properties of materials are realized by using the nonlinear interaction characteristics of two waves propagating in the medium. The results show that this technology can detect the degradation of mechanical properties at its early stages, such as plastic deformation; and can realize the localization of defects. In recent years, a lot of research works have been conducted and quite many achievements have been obtained in the field of wave mixing technology. However, reviewing papers about the advances in the research of nonlinear ultrasonic wave mixing detection technology in non-destructive evaluation are quite limited presently. To better understand the nonlinear ultrasonic wave mixing detection technology, the recent theoretical, numerical and experimental advances of this technology is reviewed, mainly focusing on the collinear wave mixing detection and non-collinear wave mixing detection methods. Finally, the future research emphasis and development trend of this technology are presented and discussed. It is expected to provide a reference for further research and application of nonlinear ultrasonic mixing detection technology.

Key words: non-destructive evaluation, nonlinear ultrasonic, wave mixing