Eddy Current Testing

Eddy current testing is used to detect surface and nearsurface flaws in conductive materials.
This non-destructive testing technique is non-hazardous and commonly used in
industries such as aerospace, rail, automotive, marine and manufacturing. One of the
major advantages of eddy current testing is that inspection requires minimum
preparation as there is no need to remove surface paint or coating. This makes it
suitable for inspecting painted structures, parts and components.
Eddy current testing equipment is highly portable, reliable and can detect very small
cracks. Results are instant, ideal for on-site testing on-site and plant inspections. Flaws
can be reported immediately to site and operation managers, allowing for quicker
decision making. In addition, the portability of equipment means that we can inspect
equipment or assets that are difficult to access, and test complex shapes and sizes.
Eddy current testing uses electromagnetic induction to detect defects in both ferrous and
non-ferrous materials by inducing an eddy current field in the specimen under test. A
variety of inspections can be performed with eddy current testing and it is typically used
for surface and near-surface flaw detection, metal and coating thickness measurement,
and metal sorting by grade and hardness.
Our inspectors are highly experienced in performing this non-destructive technique and
are PCN or ASNT Levels 2 and 3 or NAS410/EN479 Levels 2 and 3 qualified in eddy
current testing.
Intertek is committed to ensuring plant inspections meet deadlines and are carried out
safely and efficiently. Maintenance schedules are co-ordinated to ensure minimum
disruption to your business activities and planned with an optimum level of NDT
personnel to achieve the requisite inspection within the shortest possible time.
Eddy current testing on tubes
Eddy current testing on tubes in heat exchangers, condensers, air conditioning and air
coolers, requires specialist equipment and technical expertise. Interteks NDT inspectors
can perform this specialist advanced method.

Eddy current testing (EC) or Eddy Current Surface Testing is used to inspect metallic parts and perform
highly reliable flaw detection and alloy sorting of surface and near-surface defects. Eddy current probes
generate magnetic fields that induce current that flows in a test piece influencing the magnetic field and
magnitude and phase of voltage in the coil.
Eddy current testing is widely used in the inspection industry and in other manufacturing and service
environments that require inspection of thin metal for flaws and defects. In addition to crack detection in
metal sheets and tubing, eddy current can be used for certain metal thickness measurements and one of
its advantages is that surface coatings (up to a certain thickness) do not need to be removed prior to
inspection.

The Eddy Current Testing technique can be used to examine large areas quickly and doesnt need
couplant as is required in UT inspections. The method is limited to materials that conduct electricity and is
primarily used for surface or near surface flaw detection and inspection of surfaces at high temperature is
possible.
Dacon carries a full range of portable flaw detectors available to serve the broadest range of applications
and out in-house inspectors are qualified and experienced in eddy current testing.

ADVANTAGES / POSSIBILITIES

Fast (450-700 tubes per day)

Overall wall-loss and local defects can be detected

High sensitivity to small defects (diam. holes/pits > 0.5 mm)

Accurate sizing of defects possible

Possible to distinguish between in-and external defects

Possible to detect and quantify defects under support plates

Cracks can be detected depending on size and orientation

Only basic cleaning of tubes required

DISADVANTAGES / LIMITATIONS

Only on thin or slightly permeable

materials

Gradual defects could be under

classified