Magnetic

Particle Test

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 Magnetic Field Characteristics

General Properties of Magnetic Lines :

• They flow from the south pole to the north pole within a material and north pole
to south pole in air.
• They attempt to form closed loops from pole to pole.
• They never cross one another.
• Their density decreases with increasing distance from the poles.
•They seek the path of least resistance between opposite magnetic poles
 General Properties of Magnetic Lines :

• the ability of a magnet on attract or repel is concentrated at the local area

called poles
 Magnetic Field Characteristics(cont.)

If the magnet is just cracked but not broken completely in

two, a north and south pole will form at each edge of the
crack. The magnetic field exits the north pole and reenters
at the south pole.

Flux leakage

Leakage fields (flux leakage ) are actually magnetic lines of force that
leave the part and pass through air from one to the other of opposite
polarity
 Magnetic Field Characteristics(cont.)

magnetic flux (φ) : The total number of lines of magnetic force

in a material.

magnetic flux density (B) : The number of magnetic lines of force

cutting through a plane of a given area at a right angle.

SI Units GS Units
Quantity
(Gaussian)
Flux φ weber maxwell
Flux Density
Β tesla gauss
(Magnetic Induction)

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 Magnetism
Since all matter is comprised of atoms, all materials are
affected by external magnetic field. However, not all
materials react the same way.

1-Diamagnetic Material

2-Paramagnetic Material

3-Ferromagnetic Material
 Diamagnetic metals
Silver and gold, are diamagnetic.

•have a very weak Permeability.

•does not retain the magnetic properties when the external field is
removed.

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 Paramagnetic metals
Copper, magnesium, molybdenum, lithium

•have a small Permeability.

•does not retain the magnetic properties when the external field is
removed.
 Ferromagnetic metals
Iron, nickel, and cobalt are ferromagnetic materials.

•have a Large Permeability.

•they are able to retain the magnetic properties when the external field is
removed.
 Magnetism
The Source of Magnetism

All matter is composed of atoms, and atoms are composed of

protons, neutrons and electrons. The protons and neutrons are
located in the atom's nucleus and the electrons are in constant
motion around the nucleus. Electrons carry a negative electrical
charge and produce a magnetic field as they move through space.
The strength of this field is called the magnetic moment.
 Ferromagnetic metals(cont.)
Magnetic Domains
• contain on unpaired electron so that have a net magnetic moment per atom.

Unmagnetized Material Magnetized Material

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 Magnetic Properties
•Permeability
The ease with which a magnetic flux is established.

•Reluctance
Opposition of a magnetic material to the establishment of a magnetic flux.

•Residual magnetism
Amount of magnetism retained after removed External magnetizing force.

•Coercive force
The reverse magnetic Force needed to remove residual magnetism.

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Comparison between soft & hard metals

Magnetic Properties Soft materials Hard materials

Low carbon steel High carbon steel

Permeability High Low

Reluctance Low High

Residual magnetism Low High

Coercive force Low High

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Magnetization of
Ferromagnetic
Materials
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 1-Magnetic Field Produced by
permanent magnet (Horse shoe)

permanent magnetic yoke shall have a lifting power of at least 40 lb (18 kg)
at the maximum pole spacing,
2-Magnetic Field Produced by
(Electrical Current)
Electromagnetic Field

+
Right-hand rule
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 Magnetic Field Orientation
A longitudinal magnetic field has
magnetic lines of force that run parallel
to the long axis of the part.

A circular magnetic field has magnetic

lines of force that run circumferentially
around the perimeter of a part.

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Types of electromagnetic field

Direct
Circular
In direct
Magnetic
field
Coil
longitudinal
Yoke
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 Circular magnetization
• Direct Prods
1. Head shot
+
2. Prods

+ -
Head
shot
-
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 Circular magnetization (cont.)
 Indirect
1. Head shot
Central conductor (copper)

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 Longitudinal magnetization
 Coil (solenoid) technique

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Portable Magnetizing Equipment for
Magnetic Particle Inspection

Portable Coil Conductive Cable

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 Longitudinal magnetization (cont.)
 Electromagnet yoke technique
(Temporary Magnet)

• Each alternating current electromagnetic yoke shall have a lifting power of at least
10 lb (4.5 kg) at the maximum pole spacing,
• Each direct current electromagnetic yoke shall have a lifting power of at least 40 lb
(18 kg) at the maximum pole spacing,
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Portable Magnetizing Equipment for
Magnetic Particle Inspection

Electromagnets Portable yoke with battery pack

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 Flaw Detection
• able to magnetize the part in two directions is
important because the best detection of defects occurs
when the lines of magnetic force are established at right
angles to the longest dimension of the defect.

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 Flaw Detection (cont.)
• An orientation of 45 to 90 degrees between the
magnetic field and the defect is necessary to form
an indication.

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 Magnetizing Current
1- Alternating Current (AC)
- reverses in direction at a rate of 50 or 60 cycles per second.

-the magnetic field will be limited to narrow region at the surface of the component

-This phenomenon is known as the "skin effect" and occurs because -

a- Induction current is not a spontaneous reaction

b-the rapidly reversing current does not allow the domains below under the surface

- it is recommended that AC be used only when the inspection is limited to

surface defects.

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 Magnetizing Current (cont.)

•Half Wave Rectified Alternating Current (HWAC)

- is often referred to as half wave DC or pulsating DC.

- The pulsation of the HWAC helps magnetic particle indications form by vibrating
the particles and giving them added mobility.
- This added mobility is important when using dry particles.
- The pulsation is reported to improve inspection sensitivity.
- HWAC is most often used to power electromagnetic yokes.

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 Magnetizing Current (cont.)

Full Wave Rectified Alternating Current (FWAC)

- This produces a pulsating DC with no interval between the pulses.

- While particle mobility is not as good as half-wave AC due to the reduction in
pulsation, the depth of the subsurface magnetic field is improved.

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 Magnetizing Current
2-Direct Current (DC)
- flows continuously in one direction at a constant voltage.

- A battery is the most common source of direct current.

-inspecting for subsurface defects because DC generates -

-
a magnetic field that penetrates deeper into the material.

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 Magnetic Particles
The properties of magnetic particles that affect their
ability to form indications are:
• Size (dimension) (0.0015-0.0025in)

• Shape (elongated or globular)

• Magnetic characteristics (high permeability and low retentivity)

• Contrast and visibility

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 Magnetic Particles

•Magnetic particles made of ferromagnetic material (low carbon steel)

• the particles shall be treated to impart color in order to make
highly visible on surface part
1-fluorescent pigments
2- non fluorescent pigments
3- both
 Fluorescent Magnetic Particles

the examination is performed using an ultraviolet light, called black light

The examination shall be performed as follows:

(a) It shall be performed in a darkened area.

(b) Examiners shall be in a darkened area for at least 5 min prior to performing
examinations to enable their eyes to adapt to dark viewing.

(c) Black lights shall achieve a minimum of 1000 μW/cm2 on the surface of the pa
being examined through out the examination.

(d) filters should be checked and, if necessary, cleaned prior to use. Cracked or
(e) broken filters shall be replaced immediately.

(e) The black light intensity shall be measured with a black light meter prior to use,
whenever the light’s power source is interrupted or changed, and at the completion
of the examination or series of examinations
 Visible Magnetic Particles
• the examination is performed using an white light, or ordinary light

•The color of the magnetic particles shall be sufficiently different than

the color of the examination surface.

•A minimum light intensity of (1000 Lx) is required on the surface to be

examined to ensure adequate sensitivity during the examination
 Magnetic Particles
Dry Magnetic Particles Wet Magnetic Particles

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 Dry &Wet Particle Inspection
• Prepare the part surface

• Apply the magnetizing force

• Dust on the dry or Wet magnetic particles

• Gently blow off the excess powder

• Inspect for indications

• Repeat The Procedure in another direction

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 Magnetization Techniques
• Continuous magnetization describes the technique where
the magnetizing force is applied and maintained while the
magnetic particles are dusted or flowed onto the surface of the
component.

• Residual magnetization, on the other hand, describes the

technique where the magnetizing force is applied to magnetize
the component and then stopped before applying the magnetic
particles.

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 Magnetization Techniques (cont.)
The continuous technique is generally chosen when maximum sensitivity is
required because it has two advantages over the residual technique.

1. magnetic flux will be highest when current is flowing and leakage fields will
also be strongest.
2. when alternating current is used to generate the magnetizing force, it can
provide added particle mobility.

Note:
Residual technique is commonly used to inspect materials with high retentivity.

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 Demagnetization

Demagnetized

Residual magnetic fields can:

• interfere with electronic equipment such as a compass.

•Residual field in parts will attract metal particles during machining causing
excessive wear in further processing
• create a condition known as "arc blow" in the welding process. Arc blow may
cause the weld arc to wonder or filler metal to be repelled from the weld.

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 Demagnetization (cont.)
Demagnetizing apart that has been longitudinal magnetized

1-reversing the direction of magnetic field.

a-Reversing the part in the magnetic field.

b-Reversing current through the coil
c-Turn the coil (turn the coil 180)

2-reducing of the strength

a-Move the part away from the coil
b-Reducing current.
c-Move the coil away from the part

NOTE: Any methods of demagnetization will combine one of the

methods reducing magnetic field with reversing magnetic field 40
 Demagnetization (cont.)
•This random orientation of the magnetic domains can be
achieved most effectively by heating the material above its
curie temperature. The curie temperature for a low carbon
steel is 770oC or 1390oF.

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 Demagnetization (cont.)
A field meter is often used to verify that the residual
flux has been removed from a component. Industry
standards usually require that the magnetic flux be
reduced to less than 3 gauss after completing a magnetic
particle inspection.

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Limitation of magnetic particle testing
1-non magnetic materials cannot be tested
2- magnetic particle testing will not detect discontinuity that are
deeper than approximately ¼ inch below the surface
Portable Magnetizing Equipment for
Magnetic Particle Inspection

Electromagnets Portable yoke with battery pack

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Portable Magnetizing Equipment for
Magnetic Particle Inspection

Portable magnetic particle kit Prods

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Portable Magnetizing Equipment for
Magnetic Particle Inspection

Portable Coil Conductive Cable

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 Stationary Equipment for
Magnetic Particle Inspection

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 Interpretation of indications
• False indications : are caused when particles are
accumulated and held by gravity. If the part has a rough surface this
may cause false indication

• Non releavant indications :

Not due to discontinuities or actual break in the metal
But caused by :
1.Excessive magnetizing current
2.Structural design of the article (change in thickness)
3.Variances of permeability within the article

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Interpretation of indications (cont.)

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 ASME BPVC.VIII.1-2019

MANDATORY APPENDIX 6

METHODS FOR MAGNETIC PARTICLE EXAMINATION (MT)

 EVALUATION OF INDICATIONS

 Linear indication is one having a length greater than three times the
width.(L>3W)
 Rounded indication is one of circular or elliptical shape with the length equal
to or less than three times the width. (L≤3w)

 ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS

All surfaces to be examined shall be free of:

(a) Relevant linear indications;
(b) Relevant rounded indications greater than 3/16 in.(5 mm);
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