Why Magnetic Particle Testing Is So Popular Among Other NDT Technologies
Magnetic Particle Testing or MPT is the most commonly used nondestructive testing method. This technique is used to identify discontinuities or defects in the ferromagnetic metals. It is an effective way to detect flaws in ferromagnetic metals like:
How does Magnetic Particle Testing Work?
The method is only applicable to the metals which can be strongly magnetized. Through this process, a rotating or swinging magnetic flux is generated by utilizing a combination of two magnetic fields. The process can easily detect crack or hole in any orientation.
Step 1- Magnetized the object that is going to be inspected. Here a horizontal MT machine is used to magnetize the object.
Step 2- The electric current (DC or AC) used in a waveform.
Step 3- If there is a crack or hole in the metal object – the defect will cause a disruption in the magnetic field.
Step 4- Iron particles, either in a wet or dry suspended form is applied to the surface of the magnetized part and form visible indication to locate the discontinuities.
Advantages of Magnetic Particle Testing
It is a high sensitive test method where even a small discontinuities can be located easily.
The entire process is fast, risk-free and relatively uncomplicated.
Magnetic Particle Testing requires minimal surface preparation without needing paint removal.
The procedure can be adopted for workshop or site use.
It is a low-cost method to where small or large objects can examined easily.
Comparing to Radiography, Magnetic Particle Testing is highly affordable and expensive.
Elaborate pre-cleaning is not required.
Makes it possible to see and measure the concentration of the particles for process control purposes.
Limitations of Magnetic Particle Testing
The process can only be adopted for testing ferromagnetic materials.
Only surface and near surface discontinuities can be detected.
In some cases two or more sequential inspections are needed with varied magnetizations to get the results.
Only a small area can be inspected at a time.
MPT is very popular among other testing procedures and heavily used in different NDT technologies in the industrial sector to test metal materials such as various metal machinery components and gas & oil pipelines to ward off accidents and mechanical failures.