The principles of thermal wave imaging for NDE are described. The technique utilizes high-power photographic flash lamps for pulse-heating of the surface of the composite. The cooling of the surface is monitored by means of an infrared video camera. Disbonds, delaminations, and inclusions are seen in the resultant thermal wave images, with deeper features appearing systematically at later times. Examples of the application of thermal wave imaging to nondestructive evaluation of boron fiber composite reinforcement patches, and graphite-fiber aerospace composite materials are described.