15th Asia Pacific Conference for Non-Destructive Testing (APCNDT2017), Singapore.

Eddy current array inspection of carbon

steel and Inspection of 300 series Stainless
More info about this article: http://www.ndt.net/?id=22275

Steel with dynamic lift-off compensation.

Morais Ghislain

Olympus-ossa.com 3415 Pierre ardoin street Quebec (Quebec) Canada

Ghislain.morais@olympus-ossa.com

Abstract

Surface inspection of carbon steel welds are mostly performed by traditional methods such as
magnetic particle and penetrant testing. Today with the use of Eddy Current Array (ECA)
technology, it increases the inspection speed and the reliability of the surface inspection
process. However, inspecting the surface of the carbon steel welds such as in pipelines and
pressure vessels represents many challenges with this technology. The geometric shape of the
weld crown, the presence of paint and its thickness, the presence of crest and crowns, and the
ferromagnetism of the carbon steel posed to be constraints. Olympus has developed a new
orthogonal-type ECA probe based on flexible printed circuit board (PCB) technology conforms
to the shape of the weld to ensure flaw detection. New development such as dynamic lift-off
compensation and depth sizing tools were added to a modern flaw detector to detect surface
cracks that replace magnetic particle and penetrant testing. This presentation explains more
insights with the ECA technology and the benefits optimising in refineries, petro-chemical and
power plants.

The new MagnaFORM solution.

Figure 1: The MagnaFORM solution

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The MagnaFORM™ solution used the new Dynamic Lift off compensation technology.
The new orthogonal-type eddy current array probe based on flexible printed circuit board
(PCB), as shown in figure 2, combine two type of coils; the cross wound coils and the
reflection coils.

Figure 2 : Orthogonal-type array probe

The Cross Wound Coils are used for decades in the weld industry to detect flaws and the
reflection coils are used for decades in the aerospace industry to detect sub-surface flaws.

In the PCB probe, the Cross Wound Coils are the crack detectors as shown in figure 3 and the
reflection coils are the lift-off gage as shown in figure 4.

Figure 3 : Crack detector

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Figure 4 : Lift-off gage

Dynamically, the lift-off gage will measure the amplitude of signal between the coils and the
surface and will compensate the amplitude of signal of the Cross Wound coils.
Even the roughest of the surface, the dynamic lift-off compensation helps ensure the probe
remains sensitive to surface-breaking defects. As shown in figure 5, the amplitude of signal
without lift-off and the amplitude of signal with 3mm lift are the same.

Figure 5 : Lift-off compensation

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Paint removal is history, Eddy Current sensors inspect through up to 3-8mm paint thickness.
As shown in figure 6, the MagnaFORM probe can be used on painted surface.

Figure 6 : MagnaFORM probe on painted surface

Inspection on corroded surfaces is now possible, heavy corroded surfaces as shown in figure 7
can be inspected, flaws on top of corrosion or in the bottom of corrosion will be detected.

Figure 7 : Carbon steel corroded surface

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The new depth evaluation tool as shown in figure 8 help to evaluate depth of flaws through
paint or on corroded surface for carbon steel alloys.

Figure 8 : Depth evaluation tool

Weld inspection of carbon steel, the MagnafORM is the perfect solution for carbon steel
inspection, the flexible PCB will ensure good contact and the Dynamic Lift-off Compensation
will correct sensitivity where the lift-off is inceased as shown in figure 9.

Figure 9 : Sensitivity corrected

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15th Asia Pacific Conference for Non-Destructive Testing (APCNDT2017), Singapore.

Detection of stress corrosion cracking on corroded carbon steel, the Dynamic Lift-off
Compensation of the MagnaFORM probe will correct sensitivity where the lift-off is
increased. Even if the crack is in the bottom of corrosion, the detection will be possible. As
shown in figure 10, part with heavy corrosion can be inspected.

Figure 10 : Corroded part

Detection of stress corrosion cracking on stainless steel 300 series, as shown in the figure 11,
the Dynamic Lift-off Compensation of the MagnaFORM probe will correct sensitivity if the
surface are painted.

Figure 11 : Stainless 304

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Conclusion

Olympus has developed tools to increase the capacity for detection through paint and to
increase the reliability on rough surfaces. Carbon steel alloys and Stainless steel alloys can be
now inspected on painted surface.

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