STANDARD

Date: March 2004 Issue: 04

KEUR 00820-702
Authorized:

Page: 1 of 6

MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION

CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

scope and field of application

definitions
surface
apparatus
test method
process inspection and calibration
indication on drawing
preservation
references

SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

1.1 Scope
This standard establishes the requirements which must be met when magnetic particle inspection is
specified.
1.2 Field of application
Magnetic particle inspection is employed to demonstrate cracks and other material discontinuities, on or just
below the surface of ferromagnetic materials.
Sensitivity is at its optimum for surface discontinuities, and diminishes rapidly with faults located deeper
below the surface.
Typical discontinuities which can be well demonstrated using magnetic particle inspection are:

cracks;

forge flashes (overlaps caused by forging);

doublings;

laminations as a result of forging or rolling;

cold shut.
2

DEFINITIONS

2.1 Principle of the inspection

Magnetic particle inspection consists of three processes:
1.
Induction of a magnetic field in the part;
2.
Applying the test medium;
3.
Observation and interpretation of test particle patterns.
These patterns occur because discontinuities cause distortions in the normal magnetic field.
The maximum sensitivity is achieved if the material discontinuities are perpendicular to the direction of the
magnetic field. They can still be demonstrated reliably if the angle between the discontinuity and the
magnetic field is larger than 45. The inspection should therefore be carried out in at least two directions,
whereby the magnetic fields generated should be perpendicular to one another. The two required magnetic
fields may be applied after one another, or simultaneously. In the latter method, a number of specific
requirements apply, as described in clause 5.3.3.

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STANDARD
Date: March 2004 Issue: 04

KEUR 00820-702
Authorized:

Page: 2 of 6

2.2 Personnel
Personnel responsible for carrying out magnetic particle inspection must be certified in accordance with the
requirements as laid down in procedure QA1-6.2-03, Certification of NDT employees.
2.3 Methods of magnetic particle inspection
The following methods are possible:

the continuous method, in which the test medium is applied during magnetisation;

the remanent field method whereby the test medium is applied after magnetisation.
2.4 Techniques for magnetic particle inspection
One or more of the following techniques may be used:

electrodes;

techniques for inducing a longitudinal field;

techniques for inducing a transverse field;

yoke magnets;

techniques for generating both longitudinal and transverse fields;

The testing agent to be used may be wet or dry, fluorescent or colour-contrasting.
3

SURFACE

3.1 Appearance
The surface to be inspected should be free from grease, dirt, rust, mill scale and other impurities.
A thin paint layer up to 80 m or a ferromagnetic coating layer up to 30 m need not be removed. This does
not apply for the points where the electrodes are placed on the surface; these must be free from paint or
coating. A product may be investigated for cracks several times during production. Magnetic particle
inspection must always be carried out after operation which could cause material discontinuities.
4

APPARATUS

4.1 General
The test medium consists of a finely divided ferromagnetic material with a high permeability and low
remanence. A differentiation is made between:
a)
test particles for the dry method;
b)
test particles for the wet method.
4.2 Test particles for the dry method
The colour of dry particles must contrast with the colour of the surface to be inspected, and may be either
colour-contrasting or fluorescent. Dry particles are also used for higher surface temperatures.
4.3 Test particles for the wet method
The colour of the wet test suspension must contrast with the colour of the surface to be inspected, and may
be either colour-contrasting or fluorescent. Test fluids are used up to a surface temperature of 57 C.
4.3.1 Concentration of the test suspensions
The concentration is determined according to an ASTM D 96 (1998) bowl, and is as follows for:

fluorescent test fluid:

0,1 0,5 ml per 100 ml;

colour-contrasting test fluid: 1,2 2,4 ml per 100 ml.

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STANDARD
Date: March 2004 Issue: 04

KEUR 00820-702
Authorized:

Page: 3 of 6

4.3.2 Liquid
The liquid acts as a vehicle for the particles to disperse them evenly over the surfaces to be inspected.
The test particles are suspended in oils with a low viscosity or water with additions such as releasing agents,
anti-rust agents or anti-foaming agents.
4.3.2.1 Properties of oils

viscosity 25 C, mm2/s

flame point ASTM D 93

sulphur content mg/kg

non-fluorescent.

max. 2.0;
min. 55 C;
max. 6;

4.3.2.2 Properties of water

Water may be used as a particles carrier if it meets the following requirements:

low surface tension;

non-foaming;

non-corrosive action;
max. 5;

viscosity 25C, mm2/s

non-fluorescent;

odourless;

pH
10.
4.4 Types of current
In calculating the required current strength, the peak value of a variable current will be determinative. It is
only possible to read off this value on few ammeters. In many cases, the average or effective value (r.m.s.)
will be read out. Table 1 shows the conversion factors for calculating the current strength from the read out
peak values.
Table 1: Factors by which indicated current values are multiplied to obtain peak values
Type of ammeter
Current type
Ammeter measuring mean value Ammeter measuring effective value
(r.m.s.)
Direct current
1.00
1.00
Alternating current
not applicable
1.41
Full wave rectified single-phase current
1.57
1.41
Half-wave rectified single-phase current
3.14
2.00
Full-wave rectified three-phase current
1.05
1.05
Half-wave rectified three-phase current
1.21
1.18

TEST METHOD

5.1 Techniques for inducing a magnetic field

The techniques for inducing a magnetic field can be divided into direct and indirect magnetisation:

With direct magnetisation, an electric current flows through the part.

In indirect magnetisation, a magnetic flux passes through the part.

In all techniques described below, the magnetic field to be generated, within the area to be inspected, must
be between 2400-4800 A/m. Calculations made are based on these field intensities.
5.2 Direct magnetisation techniques
In these techniques, discontinuities are best detected if running in the same direction as the electrical current
(perpendicular to the magnetic field).

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STANDARD
Date: March 2004 Issue: 04

KEUR 00820-702
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Page: 4 of 6

5.2.1 Magnetisation with using of prods

By placing two prods on the surface of a part, and running a current between them, the area between the
prods can be magnetised. The current may only be switched on once the prods have been placed on the
surface.
In connection with sparking and burning-in, this technique may not be used on machined surfaces and on
steel types with a carbon equivalent higher than 0.40, in connection with hardening effects.
5.2.1.1 Current strength
The current strength for both direct and alternating current must be between 4 and 5 A/mm (prod spacing);
this results in a sufficiently strong field.
5.2.1.2 Prod spacing
The prod spacing must be minimum 50 and maximum 200 mm. This minimum spacing is specified because
particles deposits round the prods obstruct inspection of the area between them.
5.2.2 Magnetisation by clamping the part between 2 current conductors
The current depends upon the diameter of the part. If the part is not round, an equivalent diameter (Deq) must
be calculated.

Deq =

circumference

For the current strength, consult table 2.

If a part has a large variety of diameters, in selecting the current strength, the largest diameter must be
assumed. If the difference in diameters is greater than a factor of 1.5, the component must be inspected in
several stages, starting with the smallest diameter.
Table 2: current strength to be selected for direct magnetisation
Product diameter
Current
[mm]
[A/mm]
Up to 125
28 36
125 to 250
20 28
250 to 380
12 20
above 380
4 13

For use of a central conductor, the same values apply as shown in table 2.
5.3 Indirect magnetisation techniques
With these techniques magnetic flux passes through the part. Discontinuities perpendicular to the direction of
the magnetic flux are best detected.
5.3.1 Magnetisation by using a coil.
If the component is placed in a coil, a magnetic field will be generated in the component. If the enclosed
surface of the coil is 10 times greater than the surface of the cross section of the component, the following
formula can be employed for calculating the required current strength.

A=
A
W
K
L
D

K
W ( L / D)
= current strength in ampere
= number of windings
= a constant, 45.000
= length of the component
= diameter of the component

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STANDARD
Date: March 2004 Issue: 04

KEUR 00820-702
Authorized:

Page: 5 of 6

A number of conditions:
1.
the L/D ratio must be between 2 and 15. If less than 2, using filler blocks, ensure that the ratio is
greater than 2. If L/D is greater than 15, 15 should be used in the formula;
2.
the cross-section of the component may not be less than 10% of the coil diameter;
3.
L not greater than 40 cm; if the part is longer, magnetise each 40 cm section separately;
4.
the longitudinal axis of the component must be parallel to the axis of the coil;
5.
the component should if possible be placed eccentrically in the coil.
5.3.2 Magnetisation by using a yoke.
With this type of magnetisation, we identify two variants:

a bench-type yoke;

a portable yoke.
5.3.2.1 Bench-type yokes
With bench-type yokes the part is clamped between two poles of an electromagnet.
The current strength to be selected by the windings of the electromagnets must be such that the field
strength at the surface is at least 2400 A/m.
5.3.2.2 Portable yoke magnets
When using a yoke, we can use electromagnets energised with rectified alternating current, direct current or
permanent magnets. The field capacity of a yoke magnet relates to the lifting capacity of the magnet. The
lifting capacity of an electromagnetic yoke energised with alternating current must be minimal 5 kg. The
lifting capacity of a yoke energised with direct current or rectified alternating current must be minimal 15 kg.
5.3.3 Techniques for generating both a longitudinal and magnetic fields
If a part is subjected to two magnetic fields (e.g. a longitudinal magnetic field and a transverse magnetic
field), the magnetic field in the part will have the direction of the resultant of the two fields. If one of the
external fields is caused by an alternating current, the resulting field in the part will continually change
direction.
The alternating current field and the direct current field can be selected so as to ensure that the field in the
part swings between two directions which are perpendicular to each other. If this condition is complied with,
all discontinuities can be found in one magnetization operation.
If it is not possible to show that the two extreme orientations of the magnetic field are perpendicular to each
other, separate magnetization operations will have to be carried out.
The techniques to induce the two external fields can be selected from those given above.
5.4 Illumination
When using black powder, the light source at the inspection location must be clear white light, radiated at a
lighting strength of at least 1000 Lux. When using fluorescent particles, the light source must radiate light in
the ultraviolet (UV) range with a wavelength of 360-380 nm. The UV radiation strength at the inspection
location on the product must be at least 830 W/cm2.
The UV radiation strength must only be measured 5 minutes after switching on the lamp. Ultraviolet lamps
must be suspended or screened in such a way that the UV light does not shine directly into the eyes of the
inspector.
5.5 Demagnetisation
If a remanent magnetic field in a part is harmful for further machining or use of the part, then the part in
question should be demagnetized. It should be stated on the drawing or in the machining instruction or
inspection instruction whether remanent magnetism is permissible or not. A part is demagnetized if the field
strength does not exceed 320 A/m.
5.6 Preservation
All inspected parts which are stored without surface treatment must be preserved depending on the drawing
requirement according to W+O **930/**934.

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STANDARD
Date: March 2004 Issue: 04

KEUR 00820-702
Authorized:

Page: 6 of 6

PROCESS INSPECTION AND CALIBRATION

6.1 Process inspection

Each day or before the start of each shift, the following tests must be carried out:
check of concentration of magnetic particles using pear-shaped bowl according to ASTM D 96 (1998);
check for correct operation of magnetisation device using Berthold panel.
6.2 Calibration
The test equipment used must be calibrated at regular intervals in accordance with the appropriate
calibration procedures.
7

INDICATION ON DRAWING

If a 100% magnetic particle inspection is required, the number of this standard should be shown in the text
field of the drawing (DAF standard KEUR 00820-702).
If it is also required that approved products be marked, this must be indicated on the drawing. The mark
consists of the letter M in an oval see Fig 1.

Fig 1

The manufacturer determines the place where the mark for approved products shall be engraved, and
indicates this place on the drawing, with a line to the reference to this standard see Fig 2.

Fig 2

REFERENCES

8.1 DAF standards

W+O ** 930/**934
Preservation of steel and cast-iron products and semi-manufactured products.
QA1-6.2-03
Certification of NDT employees.
8.2 External standards
ASTM D 93
Standard Test Methods for Flash-Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup
ASTM D 96 (1998)
Standard Test Methods for Water and Sediment in Crude Oil by Centrifuge Method

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